First Reading: Amos 8:4-7

Psalm: 112

Second Reading: 1Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16: 1-13

REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM

STEWARDSHIP

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

A sincere welcome to the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. My reflection today, focuses on stewardship.

The term steward means different things to different people and to different schools of thought. However, the word steward refers to a house keeper. A steward is one who guards others or keeps an account of what belongs to others. Hence, stewardship is generally considered “as the acceptance or assignment of responsibility to shepherd and safeguard the valuables of others. Stewardship also focuses on promoting well-being for each person within an organization.” From the Christian perspective, stewardship entails a sincere use of whatever God gives us to help others for the glory of God.

As Christians, are we stewards? If the answer is yes. How do we treat what belongs to others? How do we treat others? Are we prudent in the use of the gifts we have been given by God? Do we use God‘s gifts to us to help others? How effective are we in our stewardship?

The answers to these questions will reveal the quality of our stewardship. This is why Jesus said, “If you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?” (Luke 16: 12). It means how we handle what belongs to others is a test of our character and who we are. This can also affect what we will be entrusted with as our own.

We are God’s stewards. God expects us to be faithful stewards. In support of this teaching, Saint John Chrysostom says, “Faithfulness in little things is a big thing.” In the same vein, Mother Teresa of Calcutta echoed, “Do little things with great love.”

It is against this background that, in today’s Gospel according to Luke, Jesus Christ made known to us the lessons on Christian stewardship with the parable of a dishonest but smart steward. “The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’ I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity.” (Luke 16:1-13).

This shows that we are not the owners of anything. What we have is given to us in trust. We are to give an account of all things entrusted into our care. We are only stewards of what belongs to God and the children of God. All we have are but God’s gifts to us for our own good and the good of others.

We are urged to use our gifts and talents today to bring joy to somebody especially the needy. We are to use our gifts to make friends who would welcome us tomorrow when those gifts are no more. The master praised the steward’s smartness in building up friendship today, for the sake of tomorrow.

Today’s parable challenges us to be smart in the pursuit of the kingdom of God just as godless people are smart in their pursuit of selfish goals and ambitions. Jesus uses the example of a smart steward in his master’s business to teach us the need to be smart in the Lord’s service. We are challenged to imitate the steward’s astuteness, not his dishonesty. “The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness.”

May God help us to use our gifts to light up tomorrow with today’s charity, kindness and compassion now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM