September 22, 2013 / 25th Sunday
••
Amos 8:4-7 •• Psalm 113 •• 1 Timothy 2:1-8 •• Luke 16:1-13
[__01__] In
this parable from the Gospel of Luke,
chapter 16, we see the:
- Middleman
- Middle manager
This
is the steward. The steward has customers to whom he is negotiating prices,
selling goods, selling a product.
[__02__] The steward is also the manager of a social
network.
He
has his own form of social media, his own connections. And, maybe some people even like him on
Facebook.
The
steward / middle manager – in the parable
-- is trying to take advantage of all the connections possible.
First,
this advantage is taken – seized – to give the steward the maximum possible
profit.
He
is greedy… that is Part 1 of his life.
Then,
we read about his change of heart and change of business practice.
This
leads to Part 2.
As
he has a change of heart about the profit and business, he also takes advantage
of his connections, of his
relationships.
The
steward reduces his own profit, builds relationships.
[__03__] What are we often told about success … success
in the world, with or without the Internet, Facebook… and online purchasing?
What
is the wisdom on social media, marketing and prosperity?
The message is ..it’s not what you know it’s who you know.
Everything
is going to depend on our connections.
Of
course, sometimes, we take this to the extreme to avoid doing any work because
we see other people getting ahead just based on points of popularity rather than points in their GPA …
or actual knowledge.
We
might also avoid doing our best for our teacher, our coach, our team… because we see others playing
favorites.
Yes,
unfortunately, this happens.
On
the other hand, this is not an excuse for
not doing our homework, not going to practice…or – in our faith journey
– not following the commandments.
God
himself also does not play favorites.
The
steward is reducing his profit, giving back and living based on relationships..
it is who you know.
He
is building relationships that will endure for the long term.
And,
we are called to do the same.
[__04__] IN OUR WORK.
This
true whether we are working professionally, working academically, doing our
homework.
Our
homework – or tasks – are not optional. This is the minimum we can do.
But,
if the fall harvest of happiness is about “who you know”, then there is a
relationship to cultivate in the spring..and every day as well.
We
also benefit by getting to know the teacher
in the classroom. We benefit by getting to know those who are in authority … to know his or her values.
To
serve the greater good, it is who you know.
This
is just one example.
And,
by the way, the reading from Timothy today also reminds us of the importance of
praying for those in leadership, in authority.
Pray
for your boss, your dean…your university president.
[__05__] The same is true in our family life.
Yes,
there are plenty of tasks to do, money to earn, insurance and tuition to pay,
and tasks to complete.
We
are also called to know – to get to know each of our family members, their
personality, their temperament… to love them not only as we would be loved…but
also to love them according to what they need.
Paul
writes in the letter to Thessalonians..
???
about telling
them what they need??
Each
person requires different loving actions, different acts of forgiveness from
each of us.
It
is who you know.
[__06__] This is also true in our faith and belief and action.
We
are called not only to remember the
commandment, Thou Shalt Not Steal.
That
would 1 of the commandments which is forgotten by the steward, at least
temporarily.
He
is, in fact, stealing from both his
master and his customers with unfair pricing and excessive profit taking.
We
are also called to know our Lord.
In
the letter to the Philippians, St. Paul writes about what he has learned, the
knowledge and techniques he has gained.
That
is, “what he knows is important.”
“I know both how to be brought
low, and I know how to abound: (everywhere, and in all things I am instructed)
both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need.” (Philippians
4:12, Douay-Rheims)
I know indeed how to live in
humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every
circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and
of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. (Philippians
4:12, Revised NAB)
But
who he knows is even more important.
“I can do all these things in
him who strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13, Douay-Rheims)
I have the strength for
everything through him who empowers me.” (Philippains 4:13, Revised NAB)
It’s
who you know. [__fin__]
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