Do You Love Me?

Posted by on
I read today's Gospel through tears of joy. I was profoundly touched by the conversation between Jesus and Peter. I was moved to tears by the gentleness and compassion Jesus shows to Peter, and to us if we but ask.  The gregarious, outspoken disciple is finally humbled by the Lord and recognizes, maybe for the first time, that Jesus truly loves him, trusts him, forgives, and forgets all of Peter's failings and weaknesses. This passage is moving but we would do well to first read the entire 21st Chapter of John, a mere 25 verses to really understand how the relationship between these two men has moved to an entirely different level. John brings his Gospel to a close by taking us back to the very beginning of the relationship. Back then, Peter was out fishing all night, catching nothing, before his first encounter with the Lord. Here too, Peter, who is at this point confused, wrestling with emotions of hope and guilt, joy and sorrow, is out fishing all night catching nothing. Ag
0

A Resourceful but Dishonest Steward

Posted by on
Friday November 10th

Luke 16:1-8

This certainly is a confusing Gospel reading. We are introduced to a dishonest steward just as his master is firing him. Basically the master told him to clean out his desk and turn in all the accounts in his charge. The steward, concerned with where he might be living or getting his next meal, contacts all those people who owe the master money and proceeds to apparently forgive much of their debt in order to make friends with them. Here we would think that this would certainly anger the master and the master would have him beat or thrown in prison at the very least. However, much to our surprise, the master commends the steward for his prudence.

Based on what we know of other characters in scripture, and in real life for that matter, I think we can safely assume that the steward was adding his own "tax" to the master's debtors and making a little extra cash. So, when the steward went to the debtors and "forgave" some of their debt he was probably not hurting the master but simply taking a big cut in his own take. Yet, this was a prudent thing to do since it made him look good and perhaps won him friends who would help him in his imminent time of need.

The key to this passage is the very last line - "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light." Jesus is not praising the steward for "wasting goods" nor is he praising him for stealing from the accounts. He is praising him for seeing what was really going on and then being resourceful in order to survive. In other words, Jesus is saying, "if you are wise enough to act in such a way with the things of this world that are passing, why do you not act similarly with eternal things? Why do you not look for the things that waste your time, time you could spend with Me? Why do you not rid yourself of the things in your heart that separate yourself from me? Why do you not examine your sins, what you owe, and ask my forgiveness for those debts?"

Jesus tells us elsewhere to be wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. This is exactly what this steward was doing for earthly purposes. Imagine what you and I could do for heavenly purposes if we were like this dishonest....but resourceful steward!

FROM THE SAINTS - "What zeal people put into their earthly affairs: dreaming of honors, striving for riches, bent on sensuality! Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young and even children: all of the alike. When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our souls, we will have a living and working faith. And there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic works." Saint Josemaria Escriva The Way #317 (#ad)

How to get better at prayer.
  1. Set a prayer appointment - Set a time on your calendar each day to meet and speak with God.
  2. Slowly increase your prayer time. - Don't jump in with an hour right from the get-go.  Build up your "tolerance" so to speak.
  3. Commit - to praying and slowly increasing your prayer time for 30 days.  Mark off the days on your calendar.  If you miss a day, jump right back in, don't give up.
  4. Pray - praying is talking to God, it's spending time with your attention focused on Him.  I enjoy spending time with my children regardless of their level of development.  God is the same way.  Spend time praying as best you can.  Use formal prayers if you want or simply speak in conversation.  Don't forget to listen
  5. Journal - Our newly revised 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Guide, Workbook, and Journal (#ad) walks you through 4 easy steps that will help you go deeper in your prayer life.  It includes 31 days of workbook and journal pages too!
  6. Read other good books about how to pray better - Prayer Primer, Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, Time for God, The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Catholics Seeking Salvation. (#ads)

My new book of poetry, The Last Dragon and Other Poems (#ad) is available now.
 
Click here to read more from James M. Hahn - Blog - Books - Fiction

Check out his ongoing memoir about life with his special-needs daughter.

Our Giant Wall Rosaries are a perfect addition to your prayer corner, chapel, or classroom.

Your support is greatly appreciated and any gift is welcome. I'll be sure to add you to my prayer list and let you know when new books, series, deals are available.  Thank you!


God bless you - Jim Hahn


* Contains affiliate links. No, that doesn't mean that the kids should leave the room. Rather, it means that if you click on a link, and if you purchase something, I may get some financial remuneration for that click and buy. All that means is that my kids will finally get to eat, just kidding but I may get something, just so you know...
Location: Logan, OH 43138, USA

Comments

Post a Comment