In the ancient animal kingdom, a sheep was
passing and saw a lion crying inside a trap cage. He begged the sheep to save
him with a promise not to eat him. After a persuasive argument the sheep opened
the trap, however, the lion did not keep to its promise, it quickly grabbed the
sheep to eat it. The sheep shouted out repeatedly of the promise that was made.
A group of animals was moved by the noise but they took side with the lion
because of fear. Among them was the tortoise who had listened carefully to the
narrations. He asked the lion to demonstrate what had happened. Having entered
the cage trap, the tortoise locked the trap. He explained that if the lion ate
the sheep, any of the other animals would likely be the next meal. All the
animals around were amazed at the wisdom and prudent action of the tortoise.
The Gospel brings to us another kind of a
prudent judgment. Our key focus is not the dishonesty but the prudence of the
steward (Lk 16:1-9). I wish to bring to your attention the Jewish tradition concerning
lending.
Jewish culture prohibited the act of lending
money at interest; however, the Jews went around this by lending out
commodities such as oil and wheat and charging interest on them. Normally,
payment was made to the manager, who then paid the owner what he was due but
pocketed most of the interest. From this perspective, what happens in this
parable, is that the manager is accused of mismanaging his employer’s property
and finding himself dismissed, smartly calls in the debtors one by one and
cancels his own share of the interest on the loans, allowing the debtors to
return exactly what they borrowed and no more. The wise action praised in the
parable is that the manager bought friends who would help him once he was
unemployed. The parable serves as a prudent example of using one’s talents to
secure one’s future. We Christian are called to do the same. We are to use our whatever
we have to help our brothers and sister and will receive favor in return (16:9).
When we do that, we become imitators of
Christ and in so doing, we are setting a perfect example for others (‘they
Imitate us because we imitate Christ’1 Cor 11:1). As people of God, and like Paul in the 1st
reading (phil. 3:16- 4:1) our model for conduct is not a written code but a
life, primarily the life of our Lord. Paul had such a commitment to the Lord
that he was able to say ‘follow my example.’ Let each one of us make an
introspection and make a simple evaluation of our lives in general. As followers
of Christ, have we set a perfect example for others to follow? Can our way of
life lead people to or away from God? If we live contrary to our state of life,
we set contrary examples for others, and thus, we become enemies of the cross
of Christ (3:18-19). As Christians, we have a heavenly citizenship (3:20). But
we can lose it when we do not act prudently. More than enjoying the worldly
pleasures, Paul reminds us that we have a far more prestigious citizenship in
heaven. While those whose mind is set only on earthly things (3:19) await
destruction, Christians await the second coming of the Lord. By his almighty
power he will transform our bodies, which is weak and make it like his glorious
resurrected body (3:21). This is our great joy and our hope as Christians. Our
future is in secure hands if only we act prudently. Let us that we may always
act with Prudence.
Vicent Abigaba
IV Year Theology Student
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