Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013.
The Dishonest Steward
It shouldn’t be lost on any of us that the ancient bible prophets often sound angry because they have to bring the same message to the people over and over again, and their message isn’t about table manners or even sex. Amos echoes this stern prophetic chorus: God grows angry when we fail to take care of the poor and the needy, and when we lie, cheat and steal about that. There will be consequences.
Psalm: Psalm 113
If we the people won’t help the poor and the needy, the Psalmist sings, then God will. God is blessed, God is huge. God sits high above all nations and above the heavens. Yet God also looks down and sees humanity … and God reaches down to gently lift up the needy, the poor and the disappointed, giving them seats at the tables of royalty.
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
This short lesson seems to offer simple advice: Pray for everyone, including kings and leaders of the community, as low and high alike need God’s help, and God desires to bring everyone to the truth and salvation. Remember also that God is one and that Jesus, who was not only divine but also human like us, gave himself for our salvation, the author tells us. As we reflect on this lesson, consider a fascinating detail: The author specifies four different kinds of prayer: specific requests of God, or supplications; simple petitionary prayer, asking for help; urgent requests, intercessions; and thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for favor received.
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13
This Gospel puzzles us because, on the surface, it seems to hold up dishonest behavior as a good thing because it gets results. But when we read the parable in context we recognize that Jesus, who rarely speaks well of the rich, is not really holding up the rich man’s approval of his servant’s trickery as a good thing. If you cheat in small things, he says, who will trust you with serious business? In short, “What goes around, comes around.” What’s more, if you think Jesus has suddenly gone easy on the rich, just wait for next week’s Gospel about the rich man and Lazarus! Don’t miss it …