Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 8, 2024

Date: Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: LUKE 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today recounts Jesus’ telling his disciples the parable of the dishonest steward. While most understand the master’s firing of the dishonest steward, many grapple with reason for the master later commending him for acting prudently. The whole purpose of the parable is not to promote dishonesty but rather to promote prudence in the life of his disciples and followers. Prudence is thinking before acting, it is avoiding those things that might be regretted later, it is considering the long-term consequences of one’s actions, it is using good judgment in the use of resources.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How prudent am I in living the life given to me by my LORD? Do I consider the long-term consequences or only the immediate benefit? Do I use my resources for the glory of my LORD, to do good and to love well?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we lift our hearts and voices in praise of You and your creative, redemptive and blessed love. We pray that we may be more prudent in our lives, remembering always our love for You and desire to serve You well. Grant that the love which You shower upon us will guide our minds and hearts, our words and actions, so that daily we draw nearer to You and that through our words and actions others are drawn to You as well. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.