Shrewd for Good

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today may be the root of contemplation of many aspects of our relationship with God. The issue of social injustice is a concern for those who seek to follow the Will of God. The Tradition is clear that God is the protector of the poor, widows and the anawim of the OldTestament, who were the poor of every sort. They are vulnerable, the marginalized, and socio-economically oppressed and those of lowly status without earthly power. These people continue to be cheated today in ways similar to those described in reading from the Book of Amos. The psalmist praises the work of God who raises the poor to life and joy. We are offered the opportunity to share in that work of God on a daily basis. We are reminded by Friar JudeWinkler that the authority of those who govern is rooted in the Divine Authority. Our prayers and respect for that authority are ways to foster peaceful existence in our communities. We are assured by Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo,C.S.J that the change which we sometimes seek for the dispossessed and the downtrodden can be moved along with the peaceful methods demonstrated by Martin Luther King Jr and Ghandi The Gospel from Luke today is described by many commentators as being full of surprise. Father Larry Gillick SJ sees the message of Luke about living wisely with the gifts we are given by God. This wisdom is to be a distributor of these gifts to others. The deep respect of the people of the Middle East for cleverness, at the time of Jesus, is a theme running through Jesus parable. Our cleverness for the work of financial gain and saving on taxes seems to be greater than the use of our “shrewdness” to build the Body of Christ through bringing the many debtors to worldly wealth to the meal table of Jesus. The parallel of this Gospel to the Prodigal Son which precedes it in the text is drawn by some. This is noted in the exegesis of Brian P.Stoffregen who quotes The Gospel of Luke by Green. The decision to turn to the actions of God and give the gifts to others, which are actually the gifts of God, is to imitate the hospitality and care of the anawim. This decision is wise and it is a move which is commended by Jesus.