Today’s Gospel from Luke 16:1-13 is a bit perplexing as Jesus tells the story of a Rich Man and a Steward who was “squandering his property”.  Upon hearing of this, the Rich Man asks for an accounting of the Stewards dealings so that he can be dismissed from his duty.  The Steward thinks quickly and decides to develop some good will at his Master’s expense by showing leniency to his Master’s debtors.  Surprisingly, “the master commended the dishonest steward for acting prudently.”  Later in the Gospel Jesus says, “make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth”.  Perhaps the implication is that the Rich Man attained his wealth in dishonest means and as such, admired the Steward for showing such shrewdness.

   Jesus’ Words from above, “make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,” continue with, “so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”  In these words, Jesus is also calling us to account for our own stewardship.  Have we profited financially, politically or by relationships through dishonesty or unjust means?  This requires a significant examination of conscience going back many years in some cases.  The challenge is our discernment between what is just and what is legal.  Jesus is asking us to use these profits gained to do good.  Perhaps beginning with the Sacrament of Reconciliation to confess of any wrongdoings that we become aware of in our examination of conscience.  But then, to take any financial wealth attained through dishonesty or by treating people poorly and using it for charity.  This becomes a test for us with respect to Jesus’ words in verse 13, “No servant can serve two masters.  He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.”

   How will we fare in this test.  Will we be able to choose who our master will be such that we too may “be welcomed into eternal dwellings”?