The Catholic Calendar for Friday, November 10, 2006
The Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Philippians 3:17--4:1
Psalm 122:1-5
Luke 16:1-8

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of the light." (Luke 16:8)

Today's reading contrasts the spiritual with the material life. St. Paul declares that Christians are called primarily to conduct themselves as people of God being transformed in the image of Christ through their exercising His self-giving love. Rather than miring themselves in earthly pursuits and passing pleasures, they are to become fit to live eternally with our all-holy God. This does not mean that they must reject enjoying this world's God-given blessings, but only that these should not become their "gods," their major pursuits. Human life is intended to reach its fulfillment in Christ who will on the last day change these lowly bodies to conform to His own glorified body and so join Him in eternity.

Our Gospel narrates the firing of a steward who squandered his master's riches. In the world's view, the master rightly seeks multiplying rather than dissipating his assets. In the Spirit's view it suggests that though God is an ample provider, He expects His stewards (that’s us) to use both material and spiritual riches wisely, neither hoarding nor wasting them. In Jesus' time, usury, charging interest on loans, was forbidden, but the steward used a loophole in the system. He enriched himself by charging buyers of his master's goods for more than they actually received. Now facing unemployment, the steward reversed his tactics; he befriended debtors by rewriting their promissory notes for the correct amounts.

Ironically, the worldly-minded former employer now praises the steward for ingratiating himself with debtors, cultivating potentially helpful friends as he seeks a new job. In this world's materialistic viewpoint, cleverness wins over honesty. Spiritually speaking, it appears that sinful humans can be driven to honesty only if it works to their advantage.

O Sanctifying Spirit, cleanse our minds of worldly selfishness and remove all guile from our hearts, that we may clearly reflect the goodness of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)