25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]

September 21, 2025

Luke 16:1-13

Today, we encounter one of Jesus’ most challenging parables: the story of the dishonest manager. Its difficulty lies in a seeming contradiction. The manager is praised for actions he should not be doing. He abuses his authority and manipulates his master’s wealth for his own advantage. So how are we to understand this?

1. He Was Praised for His Cleverness, Not His Morality
   First, it’s crucial to see that the servant is commended for his shrewdness, not his ethics. The Greek word used is φρονίμως (phronimos), meaning one who is prudent, wise, or clever in practical matters. Faced with a crisis, the manager made a sharp, calculated decision. Having been caught for his dishonesty and facing dismissal, he knew he lacked other skills to survive. Since he was being fired anyway, repenting his ways at that moment was pointless. Instead, he used the only skill he had, manipulative management, to create a safety net. By reducing debts, he made friends who would welcome him after his job was gone, thus saving himself from poverty and shame.

• The Worldly Wisdom of “The Children of This Age”
  Second, this parable illustrates how “the children of this age” can be remarkably adept at using their resources to navigate a crisis and achieve a form of “salvation.” The manager’s love of money had blinded him, yet when true crisis struck, he recognized what was most important: his future earthly survival. He pragmatically turned ill-gotten wealth into relational capital to secure his earthly life.

• A Challenge to “The Children of Light”
  Finally, and most importantly, the parable challenges “the children of light” to recognize the real crisis we face and to be just as wise in pursuing our true salvation. What is our crisis? Just as the master returned to judge his manager, our Master will return to judge us. Many of us live under the illusion that God’s judgment is remote, thinking we have unlimited time. But we do not know the hour when the Lord will come or when death will call us to account. The dishonest manager knew his worldly life was at stake and acted decisively to save it. How much more should we, who value eternal life, use our time, talents, and treasures to prepare for our Lord’s unexpected return?

An Example: St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pier Giorgio Frassati appeared to be a typical young man of his generation: he enjoyed sports like hiking and was an engaged student involved in the social and political issues of his time. He was also a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary and attended Mass regularly. He died unexpectedly at just 24, having accomplished little in the eyes of the world. Yet, at his funeral, thousands of poor people arrived to mourn him. It was revealed that for years, he had secretly visited and helped the poor. In 1990, Pope John Paul II beatified him, naming him “the man of the Eight Beatitudes.” Pier Giorgio is a perfect example of a “child of light” who used his earthly resources wisely to prepare for his Lord’s coming.

Surabaya

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Guide Questions for Reflection:

Are we prepared for the coming of our Lord? In what state would He find us today? How do we prepare? What practical steps are we taking to invest in our eternal future? What earthly things are we attached to? Is it money, comfort, status, or pride? How can we be freed from these attachments? How can we redirect these resources to serve God and others, storing up “treasure in heaven”?