The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer contrast between sinful behaviour and our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader using our gifts in a shrewd Way to encourage fullness of life.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians contrasts Wrong Conduct and Our Goal.
* [3:17–21] Paul and those who live a life centered in Christ, envisaging both his suffering and resurrection, provide a model that is the opposite of opponents who reject Christ’s cross (cf. 1 Cor 1:23).
* [3:17] Being imitators of me: not arrogance, but humble simplicity, since all his converts know that Paul is wholly dedicated to imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1; cf. also Phil 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2 Thes 3:7, 9; 1 Cor 4:6).
* [3:20] Citizenship: Christians constitute a colony of heaven, as Philippi was a colonia of Rome (Acts 16:12). The hope Paul expresses involves the final coming of Christ, not a status already attained, such as the opponents claim. (Philippians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 122 is a Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Dishonest Manager.
* [16:1–8a] The parable of the dishonest steward has to be understood in the light of the Palestinian custom of agents acting on behalf of their masters and the usurious practices common to such agents. The dishonesty of the steward consisted in the squandering of his master’s property (Lk 16:1) and not in any subsequent graft. The master commends the dishonest steward who has forgone his own usurious commission on the business transaction by having the debtors write new notes that reflected only the real amount owed the master (i.e., minus the steward’s profit). The dishonest steward acts in this way in order to ingratiate himself with the debtors because he knows he is being dismissed from his position (Lk 16:3). The parable, then, teaches the prudent use of one’s material goods in light of an imminent crisis.
* [16:6] One hundred measures: literally, “one hundred baths.” A bath is a Hebrew unit of liquid measurement equivalent to eight or nine gallons.
* [16:7] One hundred kors: a kor is a Hebrew unit of dry measure for grain or wheat equivalent to ten or twelve bushels. (Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that, whether relational or spiritual, our decisions extend beyond ourselves and reverberate through our communities and relationships. To be mindful of this, we require wisdom.
Wisdom is not just about being clever. Wisdom is born when we align our experiential insights with our principles and responsibilities. Wisdom is essential in navigating the complexities of relationships, responsibilities, norms, and society. Wisdom helps us balance our individual ambitions with our commitment to the greater good. Being prudent stewards of the hearts of others, the talents of others, natural resources, and financial resources encourages collective trust in any community. So maybe we could reflect on the following: Would others consider us good stewards? Are we able to make the most of any situation, even when we have made a mistake? Who are our models for good stewardship in our lives? Who are exemplars of the voice of wisdom around us? (Amu, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus recommends the foresight, prudence, and ingenuity of the steward,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Why did the Lord Jesus Christ present this parable to us? He surely did not approve of that cheat of a servant who cheated his master, stole from him and did not make it up from his own pocket. On top of that, he also did some extra pilfering. He caused his master further loss, in order to prepare a little nest of quiet and security for himself after he lost his job. Why did the Lord set this before us? It is not because that servant cheated but because he exercised foresight for the future. When even a cheat is praised for his ingenuity, Christians who make no such provision blush. I mean, this is what he added, 'Behold, the children of this age are more prudent than the children of light.' They perpetrate frauds in order to secure their future. In what life, after all, did that steward insure himself like that? What one was he going to quit when he bowed to his master's decision? He was insuring himself for a life that was going to end. Would you not insure yourself for eternal life?" (excerpt from 359A.10.) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Philippians 3:17–4:1 comments that St. Francis of Assisi sometimes referred to his body as “Brother Ass”? By calling it “Brother,” he made it clear that he saw his body as essentially good—it’s God’s gift, after all. But he included “Ass” because experience told him that his body could be as obstinate as a donkey. Like all of us, he knew that his body didn’t always cooperate with him, just as donkeys don’t always cooperate!
So when you feel your body tugging you the wrong way, follow Paul’s advice and “stand firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). Remember the future that awaits you, and let the power of Jesus’ resurrection strengthen you and give you his peace.
“Jesus, help me to keep my gaze fixed on your promise to glorify me, body and soul!” (Meditation on Philippians 3:17–4:1, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses how the Philippians passage identifies some members of the community for whom the belly has become their glory and their enjoyment of earthly things is excessive. We need to say “No” to things that take us away from our focus. Friar notes that our encouragement to be clever is directed to spiritual things that we also address by being gentle as doves.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explores how opening ourselves to the flow of God’s unconditional love allows us to pass it on.
In one of his letters, Paul says, “The yes is always found in Christ,” the yes to reality (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). We are living in love if we can maintain a daily yes. That doesn’t mean we don’t recognize injustice and stand against it, but we don’t let our hearts become hardened and our minds become rigid in its judgments. Love is always a yes. Even though we might see little or big problems, we don’t let it stop the yes. I find in my old age that I’ve eventually had to forgive everything. Everything! Myself, my parents, the Catholic Church, the United States of America.
Once we stop expecting, needing, or demanding that something or someone be perfect, we’re much happier. We’re doing ourselves and the world a favor. It’s not easy to do apart from the life and grace of God flowing through us. That’s why, for me, the notion of God as Trinity, the flow of relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is so important. Without that daily flow, we get trapped in the negatives. We all do. We all will, unless we tap into the love of God flowing through us. (Rohr, n.d.)
We experience wisdom about many things in ourselves and the people we encounter and we seek the guidance of the Spirit to apply that wisdom to our work in the field for Christ.
References
Amu, V. (2024, November 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110824.html
Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16?1
Meditation on Philippians 3:17–4:1. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/08/1124421/
Philippians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/3?17
Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). God’s Love Includes Imperfection. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gods-love-includes-imperfection/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Necessity of Prudent Foresight. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov8
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