During Jesus’ time, the type of steward described in today’s
Gospel passage earned his wages from the interest he charged his master’s
customers. A just steward would charge a
just amount of interest. The steward we
heard about today was abusing his position, charging exorbitant interest for
his own profit.
Knowing that he was about to be fired for his dishonesty, he
called in his master’s debtors, and asked them to repay their debt. However, he had them repay their actual debt,
not including the steward’s fee.
With the debtors grateful to him for reducing their bills,
he would have new friends who could help him start a new life. It’s a very creative approach to a difficult
problem. He made use of the time he had,
to lessen the damage he had done, to not leave on such bad terms with the
Master, and even make friends.
As the liturgical year comes to a close, we reflect more and
more on the last things: death, heaven, hell, judgment. As the steward was coming to the end of his
employment, Jesus praised him for making prudent decision in order to prepare
for that.
So to, we are called to be prudent about preparing for the
end. We are to use the time we have left
on earth, to prudently prepare for the next life.
We can lessen the damage done by our sins. We can make amends with those we’ve
slighted. We can use our time, talent,
and treasure to make the world a little better for others. Giving to charity, serving those in
need. By doing so we lessen the time we
would have to spend in purgatory. We can
pay for the temporal effects of our sins, while here on earth, by being
dedicated to charity.
The steward ingratiated himself to the debtors. So too, we are to form spiritual
friendships. People who will pray for
us, who will remember us at the altar once we’ve gone. We do well to also deepen our devotion to the
saints, to make friends with the saints, that they might also pray for us.
May each of us use the time we have left wisely, prudently,
preparing well for eternity, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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