TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
18 SEPTEMBER 2022
All
of the parables of Jesus have surprises and unexpected turns to get our
attention. However, today’s parable not
only gets our attention. It baffles
us! Is Jesus encouraging us to be
dishonest? Is he telling us that it is
acceptable to cheat our employers?
No, he is
not. If we understand the historical
context of this parable, it makes more sense.
The rich man more than likely pays barely subsistence wages to peasants,
slavers, and sharecroppers to do the hard work.
They resent his lavish lifestyle living in poverty. His steward is in
charge of the daily operation and probably keeps a bit of the produce here and
there for himself. When the rich man
returns from a journey, he discovers the actions of his steward and demands an
accounting. The steward is very shrewd
and reduces the debts owed to his master.
When the rich man returns, the debtors do not welcome him with
resentment. They are glad to see him and
are grateful for the breaks they have received.
The rich man commends the steward for his practical wisdom.
Jesus
addresses this parable to us. It helps
us understand how disciples should handle wealth. God is the rich man in the parable who does
not throw the dishonest steward in jail.
Instead, God gives mercy. The
parable reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God. We are stewards of those gifts. We need to use them not just to enrich
ourselves, but to focus on what is most important – the gift of salvation
offered by the Lord to us.
It is in
this spirit that Bishop Rhoades asks us to consider giving a portion of our
sacrificial gift to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.
Our gifts to the Appeal help to provide services to many who are in need
in our Diocese. They support our
ministries as a parish. Please give your
attention to the Appeal Video, to allow Bishop Rhoades to speak for
himself.
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