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Prudent Stewards: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 09.20.13 |

Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13

The steward in today’s Gospel confronts the reality that he can’t go on living the way he has been. He is under judgment, must give account for what he has done.

The exploiters of the poor in today’s First Reading are also about to be pulled down, thrust from their stations (see Isaiah 22:19). Servants of mammon or money, they’re so in love with wealth that they reduce the poor to objects, despise the new moons and sabbaths - the observances and holy days of God (see Leviticus 23:24; Exodus 20:8).

Their only hope is to follow the steward’s path. He is no model of repentance. But he makes a prudent calculation - to use his last hours in charge of his master’s property to show mercy to others, to relieve their debts.

He is a child of this world, driven by a purely selfish motive - to make friends and be welcomed into the homes of his master’s debtors. Yet his prudence is commended as an example to us, the children of light (see 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Ephesians 5:8). We too must realize, as the steward does, that what we have is not honestly ours, but what in truth belongs to another, our Master.

All the mammon in the world could not have paid the debt we owe our Master. So He paid it for us, gave His life as a ransom for all, as we hear in today’s Epistle.

God wants everyone to be saved, even kings and princes, even the lovers of money (see Luke 16:14). But we cannot serve two Masters. By his grace, we should choose to be, as we sing in today’s Psalm - “servants of the Lord.”

We serve Him by using what He has entrusted us with to give alms, to lift the lowly from the dust and dunghills of this world. By this we will gain what is ours, be welcomed into eternal dwellings, the many mansions of the Father’s house (see John 14:2).

Sunday Scripture Study

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

September 22, 2013

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer

First Reading: Amos 8:4-7

Psalm: 113:1-2,4-8

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:2:1-8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-13

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus continues teaching by the use of parables. He is speaking to his disciples, but the Pharisees are close at hand listening in (verse 14).

The steward in the parable was probably a servant who served as an agent of goods for his employer. In the process, he extracted usurious amounts on top of the actual transaction amounts. He finds himself about to be out of a job when his master discovers he is wasting his goods (verse 1. See also Luke 15:13).

Desperate to provide for his future, the steward foregoes his share of the profits, hoping to ingratiate himself to his master’s debtors. He thus averts a material crisis using material goods.

Jesus wishes to show us that we can avert a spiritual crisis both here and the life to come, by also using both the material goods of this world (in almsgiving and supporting the spread of the Gospel) as well as the spiritual goods of prayer, love and repentance.

QUESTIONS:

In the First Reading, what is the approach to material goods that is being condemned by God through the prophet Amos?

In the Second Reading, why does St. Paul direct Timothy to promote prayer for everyone—especially “for kings and all in authority” (verse 2)? What part of God’s plan will this help accomplish (verse 3-4)?

In Jesus’ parable, in what crisis does the steward find himself? What plan does he devise? In light of this scheme, why does the owner commend the steward (verse 18)?

How does Jesus summarize this parable (verse 9)? What do you think he’s commending here? How do verses 10-12 help you understand his point?

Why would it be important for Jesus’ disciples to hear this parable?

What’s the problem with trying to serve two masters (verses 13)? What characterizes the attitude of the Pharisees (verse 14)? How does this parable speak to them?

How do you view your money: (a) “It’s mine, keep your hands off”? (b) “It’s my creditors”? (c) “It’s God’s—I just manage it”? Why? How could you use it for the sake of God’s kingdom?

Who (or what) are some of the masters you’ve served in the past? What masters pull at you for allegiance now? How do you deal with these pressures in light of your allegiance to Christ?

How can we use the spiritual goods at our disposal that are available through God’s grace?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 952, 2424

Oh, how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make good use of it. Oh, if only all could understand how precious time is, undoubtedly everyone would do his best to spend it in a praiseworthy manner! -St. Padre Pio