P. Daniel Antonio de Carvalho Ribeiro, SCJ
This Sunday, the Gospel presents us with the parable of the unfaithful manager, a story that invites us to reflect on the management of the assets that God has entrusted to us. We can imagine the scene as that of a businessman who discovers that his dishonest manager has been cheating. Faced with the imminent dismissal and the lack of preparation to face the challenges of hard work, the manager seeks out his boss’s creditors, collecting debts for lower amounts, thus making friends for his future. Jesus, in His wisdom, praises the prudence of this manager, stating that the children of this world are more shrewd than the children of light.
In the second part of the Gospel, we find several reflections on material goods. However, let’s focus on the first part, which is one of the most challenging texts of the New Testament. This Gospel provokes various interpretations, and, given the complexity of the text, I would like to begin our reflection based on a teaching of Saint John Chrysostom. He warns us about a mistaken idea that can distort our good works: the belief that we possess material goods as if we were lords of them, leading us to consider them as the supreme good. The Doctor of the Church reminds us that we were not placed in this life as lords of the house, but as guests and strangers. He says, “Whoever is rich will soon be a beggar.” This reveals a fundamental truth to us: regardless of our social positions, titles, or wealth, we are merely stewards of the goods of this world, which are transient and one day will be taken from us. This understanding should distance us from pride and call us to humility, preparing us for the difficult moments that will inevitably arise in our lives.
Before delving into the most controversial part of the text, which is found in verse 8, where Jesus praises the dishonest steward, I would like to highlight three similarities between this parable and that of the prodigal son, narrated a few verses earlier in chapter 15. The text tells us that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, who would one day lead the Church, but the Pharisees were also listening. Firstly, just like the prodigal son, the steward was squandering his master’s goods. The verb ‘squander’ is the same used in the parable of the prodigal son. Both, in their actions, waste the belongings that belong to someone superior — one to the father and the other to the master. This is a warning about the irresponsible use of what is entrusted to us.
Second, in verse 2, the master calls the manager to account for his administration. The boss puts him against the wall. In the original Greek, it says that the manager “came to himself.” This moment goes beyond mere reflection; it is a profound awakening. Similarly, the prodigal son, after squandering his father’s wealth, also “comes to himself” and decides to return home. God appreciates this ability to reflect and the moment of ‘coming to oneself’, for it is in these moments of silence that we truly find ourselves, both with ourselves and with Him.
Lastly, in both cases, they reflect on the future. In the parable of the prodigal son, the decision is to return home; in the parable of the steward, the choice is to establish good friendships that can help him. The manager, shrewd, makes deals and recovers part of the assets that his master had entrusted to others. After retrieving a significant amount, he is praised for his prudence. Here, we see a man who, at a crossroads, was wise and thought about how to secure his future. Although the means he used may be questionable, prudence is a virtue we must learn. God rejoices when we reflect and think about our lives. He wants us not only to think but also to act strategically to change our lives, because only through action can we effectively transform our destiny.
Following the text, Jesus teaches his disciples how they should treat money, which was often regarded by the Pharisees with attachment and placed above human life. This is a crucial lesson: money cannot be prioritized over human life. It should be used for good. In our reality, we must use our resources to take care of our families and also for evangelism.
Let us ask for the grace to be prudent and honest stewards, true children of the light who learn from the wisdom of those who are still of this world. May we, in the light of this Gospel, reflect on how we manage what has been entrusted to us and always strive for the common good, remembering that, ultimately, we are only stewards of the goods that God has given us. May our lives be a testament to faithfulness and generosity, always seeking to do good to others.
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