＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Philippians 3:17 – 4:-1

Unite in imitating me, brothers and sisters,

And look at those who walk in our way of life. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. I have said it to you many times, and now I repeat it with tears: they are heading for ruin; their belly is their god and they feel proud of what should be their shame. They only think of earthly things.

 For us, our citizenship is in heaven, from where we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord. He will transfigure our lowly body, making it like his own body, radiant in Glo­ry, through the power which is his to submit everything to him­self.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, you my glory and crown, be steadfast in the Lord.

 

Ps 122 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 16:1-8

 At another time Jesus told his disciples, “There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent ser­vice.  He summoned the steward and asked him: ‘What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.’

The steward thought to himself: ‘What am I to do now? My master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.’

So he called his master’s debtors one by one. He asked the first who came: ‘How much do you owe my master?’ The reply was: ‘A hun­dred jars of oil.’ The steward said: ‘Here is your bill. Sit down quickly and write there fifty.’

To the second he put the same question: ‘How much do you owe?’ The answer was: ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ Then he said: ‘Take your bill and write eight hundred.’  The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.

Gospel Reflection：

The rich man commends the manager, not because of his dishonesty, but because of his shrewdness. Seeing the urgency of his crisis, the man has built bridges to the future. Properly motivated, he has proved himself shrewd and decisive – not incompetent after all.

And, in the process, he has succeeded in boxing in the rich man, who cannot rescind the discounts without suffering loss of honor and creating bad will among his debtors.

Some people object to the idea that Jesus would use a dishonest manager as a positive role model. However, see Matthew 13:44; 25:1-13:Luke 25:9. “children of this world” – “children of the light”(v. 8c).

The children of this age are focused on the realm of this world. The children of light are focused on the kingdom of God. Jesus is calling his disciples to become as savvy to the ways of the kingdom as other people are savvy to the ways of the world.

Then in verse 9, he will give his disciples a street – smart spiritual rule to follow – Jesus tells us that it is possible to use “filthy lucre” to advance ourselves in the kingdom of God. it is possible to use “dirty money” in ways that are pleasing to God….. a way to prosper in the kingdom of God.