What my Master is hearing about me?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st - Week Friday* 

*GOSPEL -  Lk 16:1-8*

*First Reading - Rom 15:14-21*

*What my Master is hearing about me?*

*Gospel : What is this I hear about you?*

*1) Important question of our Life*

The above question is very important because it speaks something about my life 

It makes us to think and evaluate our own life. 

By reflecting this question, one can correct ones behaviour and live a good life 

*2) Two ways of looking at this question*

The above question has two sides. Either this question can be seen from the positive angle or from the negative angle. 

In the Gospel this question appears as something has gone wrong in the life of  steward. 

*3)  The offence of the Steward*

He was summoned by the master for squandering money and for thr mismanagement of the account 

Towards the end of the Gospel passage we clearly understand how much money he was swindling from the people 

When he asked the debtors how much he owed to the master. He said 100 measures of oil. But the Steward tells him to write only 50 

In fact the debtor owed only 50 measures of Oil to the master. But the unjust steward had made it 100 so that the money of remaining 50 he would get. 

So the stewards illegal income was 100% hike. This is the case of only with one debtor. If the Master had 100 debtors then we can imagine the amount that unjust steward would make 

That's why the complains about his behavior came in and the Master ordered a enquiry about the accounts

So his offence was great 

*4) Master Heard very bad things about the Steward*

The Gospel makes it very clear that, the Master heard only about his mismanagement and swindling of money. 

In a way master had lots of questions about his way of going about and he was not happy With the work he did 

The master wanted to remove from the work for his mismanagement and illegal things 

So there were lots of negative things to hear about this particular steward 

*5) Who do my Master hear about me?*

When we think about our own life, what Jesus is hearing about my life??

Is he hearing about my good life, good way of my behaviour, my value based authentic life? 

Or is he hearing about my arrogance, pride, revengeful attitude, attachment to wordly things, money, wealth and possession?? 

*6) What do others hear about my life?*

Since we are living in a society and in the family, we always come in contact with the others 

What others hear about me? Or speak about me? 

Are they hearing about my selfless service, generosity, humility, forgiveness, sincerity, love, empathy? 

Or are they hear about the bad things in my life? 

*7) What shall I do now?*

This was the question which was raised by the unjust steward. 

But one beautiful thing about the steward was, after asking question he didn't keep quiet. He jumped into the action immediately. That is why the master appreciated him towards the end for acting justly.

So the question is upon hearing our weaknesses or not so good things in my life, what is my response???

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*