Resolute and Shrewd Stewards
Year C – Ordinary Time – 25th Sunday
Luke 16:1-13: “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth”
The readings for this Sunday may appear difficult to understand. In the first reading, Amos, the shepherd and farmer prophet of the 8th century, takes the side of the poor and announces God’s vengeance against those who “trample on the needy” (Amos 8:4-7). A warning that remains very relevant today. But in the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable in which he seems to praise a dishonest steward. It is one of the most debated parables of the Gospel. In reality, what is being highlighted is the quick-wittedness and shrewdness of this steward. These are the qualities that Jesus proposes to the “children of light”. For this reason, the parable is also called that of the “shrewd steward”.
Stewards, not owners!
We will leave aside the more complex exegetical aspects to focus on the main message. The key word is steward. The terms steward / stewardship / to steward (in Greek oikonomos, oikonomia, oikonomeō) appear seven times in our passage. This is not common terminology in the NT. Yet, although it appears rarely, the concept of “being stewards” (oikonomos) of what God has entrusted to us is a recurring and fundamental theme in New Testament theology.
Saint Paul tells us: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1); and Saint Peter: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Pet 4:10). We should not think only of spiritual gifts, but also of natural talents and material goods.
Here we come to the first point of our reflection: we are mere stewards, not owners. That is, we must deal with things, possessions, money, as managers. Even wealth is a talent entrusted to us. It is not ours and we cannot keep hold of it. It must be set in motion and made fruitful with resolve and shrewdness! Not for our own gain, but for the service of others and of the Kingdom.
Today, no value is as universal as money. Most of our time is spent earning a living. But even the money we have earned by the sweat of our brow is not ours, to use as we please. Besides, we know that the current monetary system is unjust and inequitable. We cannot absolve ourselves by saying there is nothing we can do. We must administer it wisely, keeping in mind what Paul VI says in Populorum Progressio: “Private property does not constitute for anyone an absolute and unconditional right. No one is justified in keeping for his exclusive use what is superfluous when others lack what is necessary” (n. 23).
The poor, gatekeepers of Paradise!
This Sunday’s Word also speaks to us about friendship. About human relationships corrupted by greed and injustice, denounced by the prophet Amos. About bonds of fraternity with all people, which guarantee peace and justice, as Saint Paul says in the second reading: “so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:1-8). But it is above all Jesus, in today’s Gospel, who makes an unexpected proposal: “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings”.
So then, are the poor the gatekeepers of Paradise? It seems so. According to Matthew 25:11-12, Jesus will be the Judge who decides who may enter the Kingdom of Heaven: “Lord, Lord, open to us!”. But he replied: “Truly I tell you, I do not know you”. And similarly in Mt 7:22-23: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Cast out demons in your name? Do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers!’”.
Here in Luke 16:9, however, it sounds a little different. This is how a catechist in Mozambique explained it to his catechumens, according to the account of a missionary colleague:
When we arrive at the gates of Paradise and knock to be allowed in – yes, because Paradise has gates, not just anyone can enter! – out comes Saint Peter, to whom Jesus entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and he will ask: – “Who are you?” – “I am so-and-so.” But how could Peter know everyone?! Very simple: Peter will shout inside and ask: – “Hey, friends, there’s someone here asking to come in; does anyone know him?” Then someone will say (so one hopes!): – “Yes, I know him, he gave me food many times.” And another: – “I know him too, he often visited me when I was sick.” And yet another: – “He gave me clothes to cover myself.” Then Peter will open the door: – “Come in, friend, you are one of us!”.
But if from inside they shake their heads, saying they do not know him, then indeed there will be serious trouble!
It therefore seems that the poor are Saint Peter’s jury. That is why Jesus recommends: “Make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings”. This is why he does not hesitate to set before us the “dishonest steward” as an example of shrewdness!
It almost seems that, to enter Paradise, one needs recommendations! But not to Saint Peter, rather to the poor – and here on earth, before it is too late!
Manuel João Pereira Correia, mccj
Fr. Manuel João, comboni missionary
Sunday Reflection
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Our cross is the pulpit of the Word
