The crafty steward has been practicing dishonesty for a long time. Rather than being a good manager or steward of his master's money, he lines his own pocket with it. But finally, his dishonest practices have caught up with him. He is about to be fired. As a final blow to his master, he uses, rather misuses his master's money to make friends in the marketplace so that he will have "good contacts" after he is fired.

So imagine yourself with Jesus and his disciples as they watch this guy deal with his master's debtors. As the dishonest steward or manager "works" his debtors, Jesus comments to His disciples: "What a crafty guy. He may be a thief, but he is a smart thief. See how he is using his master's money to ensure himself an earthly future". We can almost see the raised eyebrows of the disciples as they hear the words coming from the lips of Jesus. How could he say such a thing? He seems to be praising the tactics of a scoundrel. Biblical scholar Fred Craddock comments "why should we be offended that Jesus found something to praise in a dishonest guy, for all of us are a mixed bag? Unsavory people do have some good qualities, even if it is hard for us to recognize them. The manager's dishonesty, which Jesus didn't commend, shouldn't discolor everything else about the guy."

What Jesus praised was the manager's decisive action in a time of crisis. Disciples should follow this example by taking decisive action to ensure for themselves a place in God's Kingdom

The Gospel ends with a series of miscellaneous sayings about money and the right use of it. If a dishonest man can use money, his master's money, to ensure there will be people to welcome him when he is out of a job, how much more should honest people use their money in such a way that they will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God. While we cannot buy our own way into the Kingdom of God, we can say that the right use of money will place us in a favorable light before God.

Amos, Fiery Prophet of Social Justice

In 760 B.C. Amos was a little guy, really a nobody in the religious circles of his day. He was a small farmer living in the southern Kingdom of Israel when God called him to be a voice for social justice. Amos did not belong to a professional school of prophets. Rather, his call came directly from God. Speaking of this call Amos writes: who is not afraid? Lord, Yahweh has spoken: who will not prophesy?" (3:8)

Amos is sent to the northern Kingdom of Israel, a society that is sharply and cruelly divided between the rich and the poor. Through the voice of Amos, the invisible God speaks to His people. When Amos witnesses the fancy liturgies and the solemn assemblies of the people he is not impressed. He writes: "Spare me the din of you chanting, let me hear none of strumming lyres, but let justice flow like water and uprightness like a never failing stream." (5:23)

Commenting on this reading, Dennis McBride, a Redemptorist priest writes: Amos confronts the vast concrete problem of social injustice. In today's first reading he rails against those who can't wait until the religious festivals are over until they can get back to their real devotion of exploiting the poor and the needy. What is the point of impressive liturgies that feed the egoism of the rich and powerful while keeping the poor as the permanent victims of an unjust system? When liturgy becomes the ally of oppression, it becomes an affront to God. When the worship of God remains wholly uncritical of what is happening in an unjust society, it becomes privileged theatre signifying nothing. For the prophet Amos, the best liturgical music is when justice sounds through the land.

Amos does not try to seduce his listeners with sweet reasonableness; he never saw the inside of a school of diplomacy. He is a countryman who speaks frankly and critically. He feels passionately. Through him God lends his voice to the agony of the poor who are plundered. He screams in protest. Long after everyone else has settled for compromise, the prophet still mourns the loss of fidelity. He hurts from the injustice he sees. His God does not accept that oppression is inevitable or that injustice should be tolerated. That is why Amos calls the people back to wholeness of life and to solidarity as one people under God. They cannot enjoy the protection of God while living off the misery of poor people. Religion and greed cannot worship in the same pew.

A Call to Responsible Stewardship.

What is the message of these two readings for us? It would seem that these two readings challenge us to use material wealth (and all the good things that God places in our care) in such a way that we will be welcomed by God in His heavenly Kingdom when we leave this world.

All of us have been blessed with the gift of time, treasure and talent. These gifts are not placed in our hands just for our own use and benefit. They are also given to us so that we can be a blessing in the lives of others. These past weeks we have seen wonderful examples of great stewardship in New York. Thousands of men and women offered and continue to offer their time and talent to the victims of the terrorists acts. Some, rescue workers literally gave their lives or risked their lives that others trapped in the rubble might live. Watching these acts of heroism and generosity each of us is called to do what we can to alleviate poverty and pain in our world.

Today's first and second readings especially calls us to be responsible stewards of our material blessings. If we are materially blessed (nearly all of us in the First World are in contrast to people living in the Third World), we are called to generously share our blessings with the poor. Coming to church and hoarding our possessions makes us hypocrites in the eyes of Jesus and the Gospel He preaches. As one person says: Religion and greed cannot worship in the same pew.

Reflection Question.

What kind of steward of God's blessings am I? How do I use my time, treasure, and talent? How much of my time, treasurer, and talent is given to help my church family or the wider community?

Can I see how God would be totally unimpressed with my worship and prayer if I am doing little or nothing to alleviate the lot of people living in poverty and pain?

REFLECT ON THIS

When the heart is right, God always shows the way. (St.Julie)

Fear is a good counselor and Victory over fear is the first spiritual duty of people. (Nicolai Beedxaeu)

Joy is not the absence of pain. Joy is the awareness of God's moving presence Within you. (Fr. John Catoir)