Friday, November 08, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

Romans 15:14-21; Psalm 97[98]:1-4; Gospel : Luke 16:1-8. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus: "His master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly" (Luke 16:8).

All of us disapprove of corruption. We are pleased to see dishonest people humbled or disgraced. But Jesus seems to go soft on corruption in today's Gospel (Focus)!

However, a careful reading of the parable shows that as the dishonest manager faces dismissal, he acts aptly; first, by safeguarding the interests of his master and ensuring that is property is not completely misappropriated; second, by forgoing his own gain; and, third, by doing the debtors - probably poor people - a good turn, thus partly making amends. For this he is praised by his master. 

Jesus, rather than condoning corruption, shows His mercy even to the dishonest. His merciful attitude is seen in His calling of Mathew, a shady tax collector, to follow Him (Mathew 9:9). He also befriended corrupt Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5). Jesus was righteous but sinners' (Mathew 9:13) and "to seek out and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). The dishonest manager in the parable took a decision to change even as he was on the verge of being punished. And Jesus' touch transformed both Mathew and Zacchaeus.

The other lessons of today's Gospel are making judicious use of our means, our position and our opportunities, and acting resourcefully even in the face of crisis.

Fruit: My conduct or actions may sometimes land me in trouble but I can still seek ways to make reparation.