Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 16:1-8
Wisdom, prudence and purity of heart

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest steward, prompting us to examine our approach to wealth, integrity, and resourcefulness. In the story, the steward, faced with the loss of his position, uses clever—though morally questionable—means to secure his future. Surprisingly, his master commends his shrewdness. This praise, however, is not an endorsement of dishonesty.

Many biblical scholars suggest that the wealth the steward forfeits is the excessive interest he had secretly added to his master’s debtors. By relinquishing this extra profit, he hopes to gain favour with those he has dealt with unfairly.

Worldliness often tempts us to prioritise success and security through shortcuts, even if it means compromising our values. It may seem like everyone around us is bending the rules or succumbing to bribes. Yet, Jesus warns that such paths undermine our dignity. While corruption may offer quick rewards, it ultimately leaves us spiritually impoverished.

Jesus calls us to a different kind of cleverness: “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Christian cleverness is about using our gifts with honesty and creativity, trusting that God will provide for our needs in ways that honour our dignity and His commandments. This approach to life requires us to rely on the Holy Spirit, who grants us wisdom to navigate challenges without compromising our values.

Today, let us pray for those entangled in corruption, that they may find the courage to choose a path of integrity and regain their dignity. May we also seek the grace of Christian cleverness, a wisdom that blends prudence with purity of heart, allowing us to serve God and others with honesty and love.

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