Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today we have what is probably Jesus’ most shocking parable, the Parable of the Dishonest Steward. The reason this parable is so shocking is that the character at the center of the parable is truly dishonest. He learns that he is to lose his position as steward, and so, in order to gain the goodwill of others who could benefit him after he is unemployed, he has them change their promissory notes so that it looks like they owe less to the steward’s employer. This is shocking enough, but it seems on first reading that Jesus actually approves of the steward’s dishonest action. It is only when we reread the parable more carefully that we notice that it is the employer of the steward who commends him, and not Jesus. We can then discern that the reason the employer has respect for the dishonest steward is that he is also dishonest in his own dealings. So, what we see here is respect among thieves.

Then Jesus takes a bit of a poke at us disciples. He says: “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” I think Jesus is saying that because we, the children of light, strive to be so honest and true in our own dealings, we may overlook dishonesty in others. Jesus wants us to be honest followers, but not naïve followers.

Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB