To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Commentary on the Gospel for Friday, November 8, 2024
The parable of the unfaithful steward is, in my opinion, one of the Gospel passages that causes the most perplexity and confusion. We wonder what it means, and when we look for authoritative commentaries, we find few and not very convincing.
The reader who is not a specialist in exegesis may be scandalized by the fact that Jesus is praising disloyal behavior. In fact, it is not Jesus who praises him, but the master who is betrayed by the unfaithful steward. It is within the realm of possibility that Jesus was recounting a real event that would have caused much gossip and some laughter in the region. It is not Jesus who admires cunning. He is merely describing the reaction of the defrauded master, praising the cunning skill with which his steward tries to find a way out, since «he can neither dig nor beg…».
If we complete the fragment of Luke’s text (16:1-8) that we hear today in the Liturgy of the Word, at least up to verse 13, it is possible that we will better understand this parable and what Jesus wanted us to learn. And even more so if we continue to read what is a complete teaching on the use of goods that must be practiced by those who follow the Master. Just one sentence to meditate on: «Surely the children of this world are more cunning among their own people than are the children of light.
The word cunning in most cases alludes to a certain ability to deceive and trick. But it can also be understood as prudence: something like the ability to foresee, to have the prudence and foresight to appreciate the consequences of our actions and the extent to which they can serve good. Jesus asks his followers to learn to be wise in order to make friends in heaven, that is, to do good. He asks us to use our riches (material or non-material, since talent, culture and knowledge are also riches) wisely, so that they will be a guarantee when we are judged. We are children of the light: let us walk as such.