Read Luke 16:1-9
The Holy Martyrs Plato (286-305) and Roman (305)
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Luke 16:1-9
Nativity Fast
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
The amazing thing about today’s teaching is that Jesus said that the owner was actually amazed at the creative shrewdness of the steward. Yes, the master fired him, but he also commended him for his prudence. What does Jesus mean when he says ’for the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” The shrewd and lazy steward at least recognized that it is important to use your opportunities to further your cause for what really matters. For the Sons of Light what really matters is eternal life. In other words, Jesus wants us to shrewdly use our funds so that those who occupy the eternal habitations will be impressed. And they will receive us through our shrewd use of unrighteous mammon to advance the cause of the Church and our own salvation. Our life on earth is short, and when it fails, we want the saints to help us into the eternal habitation.
St. Ephrem the Syrian points out that, “He (the unjust steward) was praised because he acquired what was to be his by what was not his, namely, his friends and supporters. Through what was not his, Adam got something that was not his, namely, thorns and pains. O children of Adam, buy for yourselves those things that do not pass away, by means of those temporary things that are not yours! (Commentary on Tatians Diatessoron 14.21).