Breaking the Word

25^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 19^th September 2022 — Gospel: Lk 8,16-18

Respond to illuminating Word

The three proverbs appear to present the aspect of perseverance and the ongoing effect of the Word. If the lamp of faith is lit in a human life, it is not meant to be covered or hidden but to keep on shining and shed light. The first saying focuses on the missionary aspect of the Word. Jesus’ revelation is to enlighten everyone in the house and even those who enter the house from outside.  Luke repeats this saying later in his gospel to bring out the point that disciples need to purify their lives if they wish to see clearly and attract others to truth (Lk 11,33). The second saying refers to the revelatory power of Jesus’ words. The Letter to the Hebrews makes this point quite powerfully (Heb 4,12-13). This saying is also found in another context (12,11), where the word is used to encourage a disciple not to act out of fear. The third saying tells that the more we listen to Jesus’ word the more we will be attuned to hear it (Prov 9,9).  On the other hand, every time we fail to listen, it becomes harder to hear the next time (Prov 8,36). When persons have responded positively to the Word, God’s grace invades their lives ever more abundantly; an initial refusal cuts things off from the start.

25^th Ordinary Sunday – 18^th September 2022 — Gospel: Lk 16,1-13

Being detached for good

The parable of the dishonest manager condemns the abuse of trust and privilege by those formerly placed in a special position by God. The key to understanding the parable lies in perceiving where the manager’s dishonesty lay. Most obviously seen in what he does with his master’s creditors – writing down reduced amounts; in this way he is defrauding his master. However, the master finds fault with the manager before he has recourse to this trick. His dishonesty, or his incompetence, in the way he has conducted his master’s affairs is the reason for his dismissal. What he does after receiving the notice – reducing the debts – shows that he is an opportunist.

The parable envisages a situation where the manager enjoyed considerable autonomy of his master’s property and gained a share of personal commission or interest in everything. There is nothing dishonest in this as far as the master is concerned; for he gets his interest and the manager gets a cut as well. What the manager does after the dismissal notice is quite interesting. Faced with crisis, the worldly-wise manager took vigorous action. He cancels his own cut because he reckons that it will be more advantageous. His master praises him for acting more sensibly and giving up his attachment to material things. He has not clung to his wealth but used it to win goodwill that will serve him in a long-term future. Jesus reminds that worldly wealth is to be used to store up “treasure in heaven” (12,33). At the same time, God’s people are called to use their money and worldly things to help those in need.