25th Sunday in Ordinary Time . September 22nd, 2019
Luke 16: 1-13
Meaningful Quote: Though Jesus Christ was rich, yet he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (Gospel Acclamation)
Commentary: Today’s Gospel sounds puzzling to contemporary readers, but it can be made less so by considering the economic system which stands behind the parable. A steward is dismissed because he is squandering his master’s property. He is called dishonest because he is not serving the interests of the rich man, his employer. In response the steward, in an attempt to ensure favor for himself among the rich man’s debtors, brokers repayment of the rich man’s loans by foregoing the interest and fees that had been levied to line the steward’s pockets. It is this action, in which the steward puts aside his greed and takes the longer perspective in order to enhance his security, which is commended by the rich man. The passage concludes with three morals for the listeners. The first exhorts the listener to be prudent about the use of wealth. Like the steward in the parable, those who would follow Jesus must put transitory affairs in proper perspective. Christians should handle the affairs of temporal life with an eye toward eternal life. The second concerns trustworthiness. Those who can be trusted in small things can also be trusted in great things. If Christians handle money and other passing things responsibly, then they can also be trusted with the affairs of the Kingdom of God. Finally, Jesus tells his listeners that no one can serve two masters simultaneously. God must be put ahead of money.
Questions:
1. How would you explain the meaning of the parable of the dishonest manager to a friend?
2. What do you think about politicians giving the rich tax breaks in order that they become wealthier?
3. If we did not have money in our society, how could we get the things we need? Like food, clothing, etc.
Words to the Song – Ka-Ching by Shania Twain
We live in a greedy little world – that teaches every little boy and girl to earn as much as they can possibly then turn around and spend it foolishly. We’ve created us a credit card mess.
We spend the money that we don’t possess. Our religion is to go and blow it all so it’s shoppin’ every Sunday at the mall.
All we ever want is more a lot more than we had before so take me to the nearest store.
Chorus – Can you hear it ring – it makes you wanna sing – It’s such a beautiful thing – Ka-ching
Lots of diamond rings The happiness it brings – you’ll live like a king with lots of money and things.
When you’re broke go and get a loan. Take out another mortgage on your home.
Consolidate so you can afford to go and spend some more when you get bored.
All we ever want is more a lot more than we had before so take me to the nearest store.
Repeat Chorus
Let’s swing. Dig deeper in your pocket. Oh, yeah, ha. Come on I know you’ve got it.
Dig deeper in your wallet. Oh.
All we ever want is more a lot more than we had before so take me to the nearest store.
Repeat Chorus
Can you hear it ring. It makes you wanna sing. You’ll like like a king with lots a money and things. Ka-ching!
Lyrics from AZLyrics
Visio Divina
Teachers, you may want to go through this process and adapt the prompts to lead students in this process.
1. Contemplate prayerfully The Church at Auvers by Vincent van Gogh
2. What do you see? What do you feel? What questions would you ask the artist?
3.Read or listen to the Gospel passage: Luke 16:10-13
4. This Gospel is about choices. In this work, there are the diverging paths around the church. There is the difference between the green flat land of the world and the intense blue of the heavens reflected in the windows of the church. What are the choices do you have to make in your journey as a Christian?
5. The Church is like a living person, writhing between the pressures of everyday life and the insistent blue of heaven. When do you feel this way?
6. Contemplate the painting again, prayerfully expressing gratitude for any new questions and/or insights that you may have given.
For more on Visio Divina see CARFLEO’s post.