Friday Gospel Recharge
A Reflection on Luke 16: 1-8
(31st Friday in Ordinary Time, Year A of the Liturgical Calendar, 2023)
Approaching Times of Crises with Intelligence and Truth
In this parable, Jesus
conveys a message that has long puzzled not only me, but many in the
congregation and numerous commentators throughout history. Frankly, when I
first encountered this passage, I deliberated again and again the decision to reflect
on it. The narrative portrays a dishonest manager who, confronting the threat
of unemployment, reduces the debts owed to his master. His motive is clear: to
ensure that these debtors would support him post-employment. Fascinatingly, at
the parable’s conclusion, the master commends the steward for his shrewdness in
navigating this critical juncture.
This passage presents a
perplexing scenario: a master incurs a loss through his steward's actions, yet
he commends the steward for reducing debts owed to him. To grasp its meaning,
one must see the master as representing Jesus. Therefore, I propose the crux of
the message lies in the dishonest manager's response to crisis. Jesus
highlights that the manager doesn't dwell on his impending unemployment or
wallow in self-pity for his mistakes. Rather, he evaluates his predicament and
devises a strategy to regain control over his life.
Crisis is an inevitable part
of life, sparing no one. For the single person, it often takes the shape of
loneliness, possibly due to a lack of confidantes. This solitude can lead to
coping mechanisms like binge eating, alcohol consumption, or pornography,
culminating in depression. Financial burdens, too, weigh heavily, as single
incomes struggle to provide security. In marriage, crises evolve differently.
The demands of love, partnership, and parenting can be overwhelming, leading
some to seek comfort outside their marriage, tragically breaching their vows
and impacting children, in-laws, and the wider family network. For priests and consecrated
people, crises might manifest as doubts in their vocation or the burden of
false accusations, which they must endure. Diocesan priests face the additional
challenge of financial stewardship for their parish and themselves. Meanwhile
for consecrated religious, community life can be strained by personality
clashes or projection issues among members.
Every crisis requires an
intelligent response. Indeed, while emotions are a natural part of our
response, it's essential to tame them. This control ensures that we are not
entirely swayed or blinded by our feelings, as they aren’t concerned with rational
decision-making. In any crisis you face, it's important to take a step back and
read the situation intelligently. I’m no clinical psychologist but every crisis provides an
opportunity for sin, and this makes us vulnerable to the devil even more.
Our human nature, flawed as
it is, often leads us to make self-centred decisions in times of crisis, much
like the dishonest manager in the parable. His shrewdness was acknowledged, but
it's worth considering whether he was commended more for his initiative than
for the moral judgment of his actions, given that his choices ultimately
disadvantaged his master. To navigate a crisis responsibly, it’s important to
have a game plan ready. The most effective plan we could adopt is to
immediately seek God’s counsel. In our efforts, it's God who orchestrates order
from chaos, being the mastermind of all things and who knows the best route for
rescuing. However, turning to God in these trying times can be a challenge.
As mentioned earlier,
emotions heavily influence our decisions during a crisis, often leading us to
act out of pride or folly rather than from a place of truth. This is where
humility becomes essential — acknowledging our limitations and seeking help
from God. Our faith teaches us to turn to God, who is holy, faultless, and
whose love is everlasting. This truth is affirmed by His ultimate sacrifice for
us on the Cross, even while we were still sinners.
Crisis often involves
others, as seen in the parable of the dishonest manager whose actions
financially and emotionally harmed his master, leading to severe repercussions.
The steward's introspective approach to problem-solving disregarded his
master's needs. As Christians, we're called to a life of service to others,
which demands creative thinking that is outward-looking, in both good and
challenging times. This principle especially resonates with married people, who
take vows to honour each other regardless of circumstances. Therefore, when a crisis
knocks on our door, we should, with God's assistance, remain composed and
discern a wise path out of the troubles that may invade our lives. Rather than
wallowing in our problems, we're encouraged to seek ways to serve others. It's
through this service, even in hard times, that we find peace.
Let us love God
wholeheartedly, in good times and in times of crises.
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