Settling Accounts

Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. Luke 16:1-9

This Gospel reading is one that challenges me for many reasons. I'm not comfortable with the idea or reality of dishonest. Yet we live in a world where manipulation and dishonesty are very prominent, and we are invited today to find ways to love and work with those we might even consider scoundrels. We sometimes shun and criticize the billionaires as tyrants and dishonest. Yet we are called to the dark places to bring Christ's love. We are called to care for the ones who know only how to steal and corrupt. Christian life is messy and so complicated and it has always been.

Gracious Creator, you teach us in every season

how to dwell in the present and survive the worst

you send us consolation and deep strength now

and promise us brighter times to come very soon.

We have become hardened and very worried

we think the future is bleak and incredibly bad

we imagine running away from the very present

yet you have breathed your spirit on us all.

Help us to be those who love beyond measure

who love beyond boundaries and politics

may we understand that all those we encounter

are in need of your love and presence, here and now. Amen.