MEMORIAL SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, FRIDAY OF THE THIRTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME NOVEMBER 4, 2022

MASS READINGS:

A reading of the holy Gospel according to LK 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

The Gospel of the Lord

REFLECTION

master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently

The month of November brings awareness of our frail and short life. It gives us an opportunity to thank, pray and repent.

We have the promise that if we follow Jesus, our lowly bodies will conform with His glorified Body. If we are prudent, careful and willing to be led, Jesus awaits us to show us the way.

The shrewd servant figured out before he was thrown out what he needed to do. We are to do the same, pray and work out the meaning of our life in the light of eternity, before it is too late.

Even the most negative situations serve the Lord. The predicament of the servant, soon to meet his punishment, made him prudent. He worked out his painful situation by correcting his stealing, cheating and selfishness. In discounting the debts, he most likely was charging the right amount and not that extra charge for his own generous commission.

The dishonest steward was not commended for his mishandling of his master's affairs, but for the fact that he averted personal disaster by his resolution to avoid serious loss. We, too, have an opportunity in this life to learn Truth, and the saving hand of the Lord. We need to say "yes" to God and repent for our sins before it is too late.

Today's Saint is Charles Borromeo. He lived during the time of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation (1517). He was the antithesis of Martin Luther. St Borromeo helped with the reform of the Catholic Church during the final years of the Council of Trent. He, likewise, reformed his diocese. Charles Borromeo was a member of the Medici family. He devoted his life to the Church. Instead of leaving the Church as Martin Luther, he worked to bring reform. He averted disaster during the time that the Church was undergoing turmoil. He had a devout prayer life and a charitable heart. He is the patron saint of catechists and bishops.

We must keep ourselves in the presence of God

as much as possible

and have no other view or end in all our actions

but the divine honor.

(St Charles Borromeo)

God Bless You