M. Rebecca
Lk 16:1-13
I remember
as a child hearing the story of Robin Hood and even at that age I wondered why
he would be considered a hero for anyone.
He stole from the rich to give to the poor. Without the vocabulary in those early years,
what I was feeling and questioning was “Does the end justify the means?” Is doing something wrong for a good purpose
make it right? It seems Jesus is saying
yes – it is okay to use dishonest wealthy to your advantage…and even commends
the steward for his prudence.
Parables
are meant to shock or puzzle us in order to make us think differently and
deeply.
This parable really throws us
for a loop due to its surprising recommendations. We have to really work at this one in order
to seek out its truth. But when it is
found…we have a pearl of great price.
How different this conclusion is from the previous parable, where the
prodigal son squandered his father’s money but is forgiven and embraced back
into life. However, in this parable the
dishonest steward squanders his master’s money and is fired and forced to
leave.
When the
servant saw the money as his, he spent it carelessly and squandered it. But when he is fired he realizes that none of
the wealth belongs to him. So he begins
to give it away freely. This is a great
lesson to those of us who know that nothing we possess is our own. Everything is on loan. In the Rule, St Benedict quite emphatically
tells us that “without the order from the abbot, no one may presume to give,
receive, or retain anything as our own nothing at all – not a book, writing
tablet, or stylus – in short, not a single item,” Benedict is asking us to live in the truth
when he says “we are not to presume to call anything our own”. (RB 33) The lesson of this parable, and in our Rule,
is often repeated to us today through events of natural disasters, and it
remains no less shocking or hard to understand. Like the recent floods in Colorado or the
wild fires in AZ that swept away homes in an instant…and even lives. Jesus is telling us while still on earth
spend yourself frequently, freely, and fully.
Ekanath
Esawarn talks about three forces that compel humans to live in the ways of the
world. He categorized them with 3
P’s: Possessions, Prestige, Power…these
are the driving forces of the world. We
see how some people will do anything to have control, or wealth, or even 15
minutes of fame! The film industry is
based on stories of these three themes with its complicated plots of murders,
romantic betrayal, conspiracies, and espionage. There are so many popular movies out now
where groups (alien or earthly) fight to control the whole world.
But Jesus
is telling us to be ambitious for heavenly things – be clever as foxes, be
bold, and fight the good fight. If our
goals are of heavenly things, then the means will always entail something of
Christ Jesus, where he is seated at the right hand of God. So there will always be a certain poverty of
spirit, humility and service along the way – the exact opposite of the 3 P’s of
this world. If we are trustworthy with
the graces that come from God and are given to us on loan, then they will be
given to us eternally. So “let us set
our minds on things that are above and not on things that are on earth.” (Col
3:2) Let us spend this time on earth
doing heavenly things, with good purpose and prudence, and we will possess them
forever…things like love, truth, goodness, beauty. These are things eternal but not always seen
on earth. These are things we are to be
devoted to and the opposite things are to be despised. The list is great but consists of small
matters. This is where we are tested…in
the small, everyday activities.
To drive
the message home, I would like to use an analogy of baseball, which I know
almost nothing about!!! However, I do
know that every good pitcher is one who throws a challenging ball every time it
leaves the mound…and a good pitch often has a curve ball. So what is being tossed our way by Jesus in
this parable?
Ball 1: Seek
wealth…Be ambitious and use tainted money to gain Possessions. The first “P”!
But it is a Curve Ball…there is a twist…for our true riches
are in heaven – Mathew says, “Sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and then you will be rich in heaven” (Mt
19:21) “Blessed are the poor – yours is
the kingdom of God”. (Lk 6:20)
Therefore, seek wealth…by selling all!
Ball 2: Be exalted…Be
successful and Prestigious, which is “P” #2
But it also is a Curve Ball…for it is the humble who will be
exalted; the last shall be first. (Lk 14:11)
It is the meek who will inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5) Therefore, be exalted…by humbling
yourself!
Ball 3: Be Powerful
to get what you want and be in control.
Another Curve ball:
Those who have authority and power are to serve others and be a servant
to all. (Mt20:26+; Jn 13:16+) My power
is made known in weakness. Therefore, be
powerful…by being a servant to all.
Unlike the
film industry which capitalizes on these 3 themes, St Paul condemns them
telling us they will lead to three strikes, moving us out of the game. Rather he tosses out Ball #4 which, by the
way in baseball, allows us to freely walk closer toward victory. He says to the Corinthians, God’s wisdom is
folly to this world so be wise in this life by being “a fool for Christ”. No one likes to look the fool, but here it
is: Be wise…and know that it will look
like foolishness in the world.
But what
would that home run be; what would it look like? I think Luke captures it again when Jesus
says “lose your life in this world so you will gain it eternally… So gain
eternal life by dying to self in this one.
Let die any ambition for possessions, prestige, and power – these
desires don’t fall away when we enter the monastery; it takes great effort for
purity of heart.
So the
question we can take away from this parable is:
“Are we squandering any of God’s gifts given to us?” or to state it more
positively, “what gift have I been given on loan that I can share more freely,
frequently, and fully”? After reflecting
on this, we are ready to go to bat, knowing victory will be ours! So let us be prudent and “Run while we have
the light of life”! (RB Prol 13)
M.
Rebecca
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