Is My Life Praiseworthy or Disgraceful?

Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

November 5, 2021

Readings (Click here to read in full)
    Reading I: Rom 15:14-21
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
    Gospel: Lk 16:1-8

If we compare our earthly and heavenly affairs, how much energy or zeal are we giving to each? In our baptismal vows, we commit to be more zealous in our love and service of God. This is not only for our own holiness, but this is also to witness to people who give more enthusiasm to earthly activities.

 

The unfaithful steward in our Gospel showed praiseworthy efforts to get the utmost advantage of his position as steward, which he was about to lose. It was not the immorality of his behavior but his shrewdness, his prudence, and his creativity to avoid falling into difficult times that gained the praise of his master.

We see this kind of behavior in people. They put great zeal into their daily affairs, in their struggle for survival, in their dreams of success and riches. This is even becoming more evident among our politicians vying for public office in the coming 2022 Elections. There is nothing dishonorable with being prudent and zealous in our daily affairs. What is disgraceful is when the children of light are not that shrewd, zealous, and energetic in their Christian faith.

Jesus emphasized this when He said, "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light." In saying this, He wants us to apply the same enthusiasm, the same energy, and ingenuity to our Christian life. While we trust that God can fulfill this mission without us, this does not in any way exempt us from doing our Christian responsibilities and cooperating with His grace. If we cooperate with God's grace with greater apostolic zeal, we will see in people a faith that is alive and active.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com