31st Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 7th November 2020 — Gospel: Lk 16,9-15
Faithfulness matters
Jesus exhorts his disciples to be trustworthy and honest in small things, referring to earthly riches (16,10). “Being trustworthy in small things” is a maxim that holds true universally. Great vice or virtue usually begins with small actions. Fidelity is required in small matters as well as in those of more importance. Upon this rule, God will decide the soul’s future. If a man shows fidelity in his administration of unimportant goods of the earth, it is clear that he can be entrusted with far more important things of the world to come. The corrupt person starts bending a few rules. His conscience grows dull and his wrongdoings become larger and larger. The inverse is also true. Small acts of honesty and kindness sufficiently repeated can gradually make a corrupt person virtuous. Therefore, we must persistently work on doing the right thing in small matters. Based on the parable of the unjust manager, the manager’s conduct was held to be wise in a different way and was advised to imitate even; but here Jesus teaches distinctly that it is fidelity and honesty, not unfaithfulness, which will be eventually rewarded.
