Lectionary 490

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Scripture: Lectionary 489: Romans 15:14-21. Psalm 98:1.2-3.3-4. Luke 16:1-8:

Parables are the way Jesus shocks us into listening to what he is trying to teach us as his disciples. This has been going on since the Journey Narrative in Luke began and will continue till he reaches Jerusalem. We are all being taught what it means to be a disciple and how much it will cost us!

Do we take initiative in learning from the parable for today to show generosity and attentiveness to those with whom we live? Do we anticipate their needs and relate to them as friends or fellow brothers and sisters? Are we aware of the students who need the most care and attention from us or are we more interested in our own teaching than in their learning? Are we positive in our approach to life especially when relating to those who are younger than we are? Do we offer encouragement? At the end of the day have we brought Good News to those we encountered and met this day or was it a bad news day for them?

Jesus puts it to us to imitate the crafty and devious servant in the parable who knew how to solve his personal situation with regard to his keeping the accounts of the lord of the property involved in this parable. We can learn from the secular manager how to take the initiative and be creative in doing the right thing just as he knew how to save his neck in doing the wrong and devious thing with the master’s accounts. Yet, the landlord praised him for his ingenuity. That is where the parable breaks down and we are swooped into looking at ourselves as responsible for the commandments of love toward all others especially those of our own household.

We are often blind to a correct way of reading the signs of the times and learning how to take from our culture things that are good while acting counter-culture in those that are bad. The servant or manager is receiving a” left-handed” compliment from the master. This is the way Jesus sometimes teaches through his colorful parables that catch us off guard. The parable is meant for his disciples who are to make sure we keep correct accounting with as much alacrity as the manager who did not deal justly with his lord. As disciples we are called to welcome others and to do something concretely for them not just offer fancy promises and lofty words that leave them hanging without really helping them.

As disciples of Jesus we must act quickly and correctly in the crises that prevent us from bringing the Good News to others. The kingdom of God needs to be proclaimed by us with as much cleverness and inventiveness as the devious manager did with the master’s accounts. We can learn much from the secular world around us without being pulled into its selfish and individualistic interests. Amen.