St. Charles Borromeo

Phil 3:17; 4:1
Lk 16:1-8

In today’s gospel, Luke recounts our Lord’s message on the kingdom of heaven and using position and possession wisely. A“resourceful” steward who at first dishonestly squandered his master’s possession,
after a while, thought this through and then prudently tried to save face by dealing with his master’s debtors.  Though we might first be appalled at his dishonesty.i. e. (removing some charges we might say) , in his moment of crisis he was decisive and acted quickly to prepare for his future.  Jesus highlights the steward’s “gifts” and limitations as a human person – and encourages us to be faith-filled and zealous in living out our faith in Him as “…children of the light…”So he knows that money is not everything or reducing the charges but securing a future relationship with his master’s property is more important.The steward went at all costs to secure his future.

Today as stewards, we are constantly exposed to dangerous doctrines inimical to salvation but widely propagated by popular culture and politics. Today there is the prosperity gospel that twists the message of salvation reducing it to material wealth. There is the permissive culture that allows us to do anything we feel like doing, in the name of liberty and choice and call it ‘my right’. There are also constant and concerted efforts to reduce religion and belief in God to a mere myth that should be restricted to the private sphere. All these are deliberate attempts to shut God out of the public sphere forgetting the fact that God is our natural environment and cut off from Him we cannot be fully alive. Therefore, we need Christ the Good Shepherd in our world today in order that we ourselves can be good stewards too.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul encourages his followers to imitate his example as a convert-missionary, giving his life to the spreading the gospel.  Paul was endowed with many gifts and deep felt life experience, especially his ardent faith, were held up as a prime example to the many people he touched in his journeys; his last words of today’s scripture selection have encouraged so many:  “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I Iove and long for, my joy and my crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.”  Stand firm in the Lord…

Finally, we celebrate St. Charles Borromeo, a gifted and zealous steward of our Lord. He was credited for helping reform and build up the 16th century Church in a variety of ways. He reached out to the poor and needy of his day, sacrificing wealth, honor, and influence to serve them – personally ministering to the sick, the hungry, and the dying. 
As Bishop and Cardinal, Charles Borromeo encouraged the intellectual and moral growth of clergy and religious, especially by forming new seminaries.He was once a supervisor for the Franciscan and Carmelite Order. He helped author the catechism called for during the Council of Trent; he started the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for children’s growth in their faith.  He held special meetings in his home diocese of Milan, seeking to incorporate the message of the Council of Trent and calling moms to reform themselves. Even though he had a lot of opposition, He was a great reformer because he stood firm in the Lord.

The Good News challenges us today:  zealously follow the words and deeds of Jesus; live as faith-filled, active stewards of God’s many gifts; learn from St. Paul and St Charles Borromeo to share your gifts with the Church today, especially those most in need.  The “value” of such stewardship:  is priceless…for ourselves and our world!!

Fr Osho