Our Gospel this weekend, the Parable of the Dishonest Steward, is so strange and puzzling that St. Augustine himself said, “I can’t believe that this story came from the lips of our Lord.” It appears that Jesus is praising a dishonest steward for deception, or that he is praising him for stealing money for his own advantage. But he is not. He is rather encouraging the inventory of goods, the prudent use of resources, and the clear anticipation of the future.

First, we are encouraged to make an inventory of our resources. In the parable, the steward was reported to have squandered his master’s properties and was found to be longer fitted for the job. He started assessing what he had. “I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg,” he said to himself. Understand that in Jesus’ time. There was no employment compensation, insurance or welfare program. When someone loses his job, especially an elderly man, one practically loses financial support system. More so, in small poor towns like that of Palestine, the odds of getting another job were so high. The steward, in assessing what he had, knew he would be left with practically nothing.

We too are called to make a proper and honest inventory of the resources placed in our charge – time, talents, opportunities, health, intelligence, education, and other gifts, because this is pre-requisite to the second invitation of the parable: to use our resources prudently.

The steward called his master’s debtors, asked them to make promissory notes, and approved all of them. He did so with the thought that “when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.” To be clear, what the steward used was his master’s money and not his. But what Jesus praises is simply the use of resources to help the poor and gain friends. This is what we are called to do as well - make a proper inventory of the gifts we have and help the poor.

This weekend is Catechetical Sunday. I am very happy to share with you that we are doing well with our enrollment. We are in fact seeing a significant increase in students. But we are lacking in catechists and volunteers. Jesus is calling you today to assess what you have and share it by becoming a catechist. Please do not let our students down.

Finally, Jesus praises the steward for his foresight. The steward knew where he would end up should he not do something immediately. He did what he did in order to “change” his future. So, it must be the same with us. We know that our actions on earth affect our eternal destination. St. Paul says, “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5, 10) The parable invites us to be mindful of our eternal destination and make sure that our actions and lifestyles are aligned with it.

We are consoled, though, that despite of our sinful past, the Lord is merciful. May the images of the Divine Mercy, Our Lady of La Salette and St. Damien placed in the foyer of our Church remind you that the very nature of God is mercy, and that we are all called to “be merciful just as [also] your Father is merciful. (Lk. 6, 36)