September 21, 2025

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)   

In the School of the Shrewd 

Msgr Thomas Gervasio  

 
Years ago, in another parish, we had our students serve as evening receptionists at the rectory. When the school held a fundraiser, one of these young receptionists asked if he could sell his chocolate bars at the rectory. We thought it a good idea, so, the box of chocolates was placed on the desk with a little sign: “Help Our School—Chocolate Bars $1.50 each.” He did a “booming business” but then on a visit to the school office I discovered that the PTA was asking $1.00 per chocolate bar! When I confronted the young man about his mark-up, he replied that he was not cheating the school and didn’t see a problem with making a profit for himself! When I told the pastor about it, he replied, “Well, even the Lord praised the dishonest steward for acting prudently!” He quoted of course from the parable we have just heard.  
 
It seems as if Our Lord is praising dishonesty or condoning shady business practices. This is not the case at all. Our Lord does not praise the steward’s dishonesty but his ability, his skill, his ingenuity, shrewdness. St. Augustine adds, that he is praised because he had an “eye for the future.” Notice that when the steward realized that he would be dismissed for mismanaging his master’s assets, he moved quickly. He did not waste any time to devise and carry out a scheme to take care of himself after he was fired. He would never lower himself to make a living by servile work or begging.  
 
Surprisingly, Our Lord asks us to learn from this cunning and corrupt man. Even the dishonest can teach us something. The Lord ends the parable by saying, “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation then are the children of light.” 
 
The Lord is telling us to look around and observe how worldly-minded people are more astute in what matters to them than are the spiritually minded—the children of light—in what matters to them. He wants us to take note of the energy, dedication, and discipline of the worldly-minded. They sacrifice and go to great lengths for life’s comforts. 
 
Our Lord asks us why we who believe (the children of the light) do not put at least equal effort into the service of God—materially, in the care for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and spiritually in keeping our eyes on the future, heaven! How often the spiritual treasures—prayer, the Mass, Confession—are relegated to the back burner, if not off the stove all together!  
 
Isn’t it really a matter of zeal? Our Lord said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I’d like to offer a few simple questions for our reflection this week…some spiritual “homework:” 
 

• When was the last time I spoke to my spouse, my children, my friends, about God, prayer, the Mass? 
• Do I go throughout the day concerned with meeting my own needs and desires alone, or do I seek out opportunities to help and serve others? 
• Do I spend more of my free time scrolling through social media than I do digging into God’s Word? 
• Where do I direct my energy, my zeal?  

 
Lord, you surprise us always and today you teach us that there is a lesson to be learned even in a dishonest and shrewd steward. Help me to be as zealous and astute, not for the transitory things of this world, but for the precious and eternal treasures of heaven.