Prudent for Heaven

Author: Chrisma C. Bangaoil
“Stand firm in the Lord’
Reflection Date: November 8, 2024 Friday of the Thirtieth-first Week in Ordinary Time 
Daily Readings: Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 16:1-8

How seriously do you care for your spiritual need? Do you go at length to ensure your spiritual well-being or are you complacent not at all worried about it?

Why does it seem that Jesus was exalting the unjust steward for his shrewdness? The master in the parable is not praising the servant for his dishonesty but for his prudence, that is, he acted sensibly and took proper precautions to protect himself and ensure his future. He used his knowledge and judgment to make good decision for himself.

Jesus was sort of expressing His frustration that the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light. Jesus is like telling us ‘Why can’t you show more resolve and acumen in tending to your spiritual problems just like this unjust steward who did his best to resolve his problem and ensure his future?’

Truth to be told, if we look at the way we live each day of our life, are we being prudent as children of God? Are our efforts directed toward ensuring our spiritual nourishment or have we also become like the children of the world?

Call to Action for Catholic Living: The first reading reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. Therefore, our efforts should be directed towards heaven, not here. We can only do this if we heed what St. Paul tells us, “Stand firm in the Lord’.