20241108 LEADERSHIP CALLS FOR CREATIVE STEWARDSHIP
First reading |
Philippians 3:17-4:1 |
Our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes Christ to transfigure us
My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things. For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.
So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 121(122):1-5 |
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
‘Let us go to God’s house.’
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
For Israel’s law it is,
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement
of the house of David.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
Gospel Acclamation | 2Co5:19 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
Or: | 1Jn2:5 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said,
God’s love comes to perfection in him.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Luke 16:1-8 |
The master praised the dishonest servant
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”
Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”
‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’
08 November 2024, Friday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
LEADERSHIP CALLS FOR CREATIVE STEWARDSHIP
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1; LUKE 16:1-8]
In the first reading, St Paul presented himself and those who were united with him as mentors for the Christian community. He wrote, “My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us.” Can we also in all honesty and humility also present ourselves as models for others to follow, especially our children, loved ones and those under our care? A leader is more than just someone who brings prosperity to the economy. Of course, it is equally important to bring unity and peace, not just to the country or the organization that one leads, but the leader must go beyond his or her parochial interests and work for the common good of all.
In the case of a spiritual leader, one must do more than just promote prosperity and even the common good of everyone. As a religious leader, we must seek to lead them in the growth of virtues and in holiness. This was what St Paul did. He reprimanded the Christians, “I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things.” Although professing to be Christ’s disciples, they were acting contrary to the gospel and making themselves not just counter-witnesses of Christ but as His enemies. When we make pleasure as the be all and end all of life, holding ourselves as bondage to the sins of the flesh, we will lose our identity. We forget that we are human beings created in God’s image and likeness, and fail to seek the greater things of life, such as peace, love, joy, unity, generosity, kindness and compassion. These are the virtues that make us truly human and make life worth living beyond simply satisfying our physical and bodily pleasures.
Indeed, a spiritual leader must lead people to seek for eternity and for eternal values. St Paul reminded the Philippians, “For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.” We cannot be short-sighted. Whilst working for the Lord and His people in this world, and enjoying the gifts of creation and sharing them with others, we must keep our eyes focused on our ultimate goal, which is in heaven. Christianity is not about making this world a better place, protecting the planet for the sake of itself. Rather, they are means by which we are sanctified and grow in love, compassion, gratitude and responsibility.
However, in order to transmit the message today, we leaders must be creative in going about it. We are living in a different world today compared to the one in St Paul’s time. Then, people were poor. They did not have a comfortable life. Many sicknesses were incurable, and it was difficult to make a living. But in a modern world, especially in affluent countries, we have this sense of self-sufficiency. Our young people have all they want and desire because their parents can provide for them. In Singapore where we have more food than we can eat, and the luxuries of life, people are not interested in eternal life and heaven, because for many of them, happiness is found in the here and now. Life hereafter is an afterthought. Most are absorbed in wanting to try and enjoy everything in life because their consciousness of life after death is remote – until they suffer a tragedy, a terminal illness or a near-death experience.
This is why Jesus encourages us to be creative and resourceful in transmitting the gospel in our time. This is the intended meaning of the parable of the Crafty Steward. Jesus was not endorsing the actions of the steward who was found lacking responsibility in his stewardship. This was why the rich man summoned him and asked for an account of his stewardship before dismissing him. Instead of repenting for his negligence and irresponsibility, he became more emboldened, finding ways to spare himself from being reduced to poverty or without a job. The steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”
So that was precisely what he did, by giving the debtors a discount on their loans so that he would earn their friendship and gratitude. In truth, this crisis of his was turned into an opportunity. Instead of lamenting, the prospect of being dismissed awakened him from his slumber. This is perhaps why people only awaken when they encounter a crisis. Otherwise they tend to take things easy. They never question about life, God and eternity. Only when faced with a life-threatening situation – an illness, separation or financial distress – will they turn to God.
But more importantly, what Jesus wanted to highlight was how this dishonest steward sought to protect his interests. Certainly, he was not exhorting us to behave like him. But his creativity and initiative were recognized. “‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.” Indeed, what the Church lacks today is creativity in transmitting the message of Christ. The world is using internet and social media to influence society to adopt extreme rightist and leftist world-views. With help from politicians and glitterati from the entertainment world, and corporate big wigs, they seek to rewrite the norms of society, over-exaggerating the exercise of personal rights at the expense of the common good of society. Consequently, the Church finds herself increasingly isolated and marginalised in many so-called Christian countries in the West where Christian values and culture were once highly promoted. We wonder how such individualistic ideology can gain so much traction with the people, so much so the voice of the Church is drowned in the world.
Today, we lack the financial resources of the world to harness the most advanced technology and trained manpower to support the Church in this direction. We are too far behind to catch up with the advancement of the secular world. Nevertheless, we have to find ways to attract people to the gospel, especially those who are influential and with plenty of resources at their disposal. We must first bring them to Jesus and come to experience Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Even if we are lacking resources and the modern tools of communication, we have the soft power, which is the way of mentoring and modelling. We are called to be good stewards of the gospel and good leaders. Whilst we can learn creativity from the dishonest steward, we do not imitate his dishonest, opportunistic ways. Indeed, bad shepherds will not only kill the weak and sick sheep in the flock but will weaken even the strong ones. When leaders fail to live up to the faith and values they espouse, those under them will do the same. This is how leaders kill the strong sheep eventually, making them lose faith and confidence.
St Paul shows how he won over the people; not just by his preaching and instructions but by his life and his sincere approach in correcting them. But he did not turn a blind eye to their misconduct. He was direct in reprimanding the people, but he was at the same time gentle with them, affirming them and assuring them of his love. St Paul did not condemn to put them down, but to lift them up. Even in his fierce condemnation, he was not afraid to show his deep affection for them. He wrote, “I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears …” And after scolding them, he assured them of his love and devotion to them. “So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.”
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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