\u2014Feast of Our Lady of La Salette<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\nToday I heard the best explanation of the parable of the \u201cUnjust Steward\u201d that I have ever heard. Or maybe it is the parable of the \u201cShrewd Manager.\u201d Either way, thanks to the homily of my pastor today, \u00a0I think I may finally understand this parable.<\/p>\n
The title of this post gives it away. Jesus, Our Lord and Savior is <\/em>the unjust steward, the shrewd manager. How else to find favor in the hearts of us all than to write off or write down our debts completely? How else could this steward\u2019s master find favor with him, unless Our Lord is the steward and God is the rich man? Let\u2019s look at the passage from today\u2019s gospel reading.<\/p>\nLuke 16: 1-13<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nJesus said to his disciples,<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cA rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said,\u2019What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.'\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
So far, so good. The conventional wisdom appears to be holding sway. Prepare yourself for a contrarian twist.<\/p>\n
The steward said to himself, \u2018What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that,when I am removed from the stewardship,they may welcome me into their homes.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\nHe called in his master\u2019s debtors one by one. To the first he said,\u2019How much do you owe my master?\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Now. Start thinking this is Our Lord speaking of himself. You know the popular \u201cWhat Would Jesus Do\u201d question? WWJD? This is it. Back to the debtor (insert character of yourself here).<\/p>\n
He replied, \u2018One hundred measures of olive oil.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\nHe said to him, \u2018Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Note the lack of any complaint or push-back on the part of the debtor. This guy knows a good deal when he hears it. A little while later,<\/p>\n
Then to another the steward said, \u2018And you, how much do you owe?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\nHe replied, \u2018One hundred kors of wheat.\u2019<\/p>\n
The steward said to him, \u2018Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Another bargain, and another taker. Right about now, the conventional wisdom lover in you is getting angry, right? This son-of-a-mule is undermining his masters wealth and business. Bad manager! Only one problem. The bad manager gets commended for it.<\/p>\n
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. \u201cFor the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nRead that sentence one more time. Go ahead, I\u2019ll wait. He says the schmucks are more prudent in their dealings with others than are the special ones, these \u201cchildren of light.\u201d Is this cutting you to the quick a little? It did me.<\/p>\n
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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