Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-13
Michel
de Verteuil
General Textual Comments
The passage is in two
movements:
- verses 1 to 7, the parable;
- verses 8 to 13, a collection of six sayings of Jesus, all connected with the
parable.
Most people find this parable one of the most difficult to interpret, seeming
to condone the dishonesty of the steward. The main problem here is our tendency
to read the gospels and the parables particularly, in a rational, moralizing
way. We then find ourselves passing judgement on the parables: “a
touching story but ….” With this approach to our parable we have to do mental
gymnastics to explain how the master could “praise the dishonest steward”.
We are not meant to read parables in such a heady,
moralizing (basically self-righteous) way. We must enter freely into them
(“with a willing suspension of disbelief”), get a feel for the characters, and
gradually let them reveal some deep lesson about human living.
With this parable, for example, we must identify with the
steward, allow him to become a person whom we feel to praise, just like the
master in the parable did. If we look at him in that perspective, we find that
he is very likable, not efficient – “wasteful” as the parable says – but very
likeable. We imagine a person who knows how to enjoy life. He doesn’t like hard
work – “Dig? I am not strong enough” – but he likes people and enjoys the
company of his friends.