Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“The children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.”

 

God has blessed each of us with so many gifts and treasures. Today’s gospel reading asks us a very simple question, “How do we make use of these treasures?” The steward, who was put in charge of the estate of a rich man abused his position and likely stole from the tenants for his own glory. God entrusts us with our gifts and treasures, but we must not abuse these gifts. The steward was relieved of his duties as steward because he abused his treasures. Once he realized the consequences of his ways, the steward returned what he stole from the tenants. We too are called to examine our life and to discern how we are using or abusing the treasures which God has bestowed upon us. Do you hoard these treasures or do you share them? Do you abuse our spiritual values and gifts? At some time in the future, we will all come before our Lord and King and be judged. Will He be happy with what you have done with his gifts? You do not want to be relieved of your position as steward because eternity is a long time to spend thinking about what you did wrong. God gave you these treasures and gifts so you could help others. You must give to others what God has given to you. You must be willing to sacrifice for the good of others. As the dishonest steward realized his errors and gave back to the tenants, we too are commanded to give back. When we give back we help build the Kingdom of Heaven. Every time we share our treasures with others, we bring forth another piece of the Kingdom of God.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Christ, help me to realize my treasures and my gifts.

Give me the strength and courage to use these gifts for the glory of God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon