In the gospel of Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells his disciples three parables about things that are lost and found and the joy that is experienced when what was once lost is found and returned to the one to whom it rightfully belongs.  In the final parable of the Prodigal Son, we are told that the younger son “squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.”  (Lk 15,13)  Immediately following these parables, Luke begins chapter 16 with Jesus telling a parable about a dishonest steward who has been reported as “squandering his (the rich man’s) property.” (Lk 16,1)  In both of the parables, the downfall of the men is in squandering something that they haven’t earned themselves but that has been given to them in trust.  Each of these men were given a grace and they squandered that grace.  Our life is a grace that has been entrusted to us.  It doesn’t really belong to us but we can do good things with the opportunity that we have been given and thus prepare for a greater future in the Father’s house.  There is a sad and tragic outcome awaiting the person that does not act wisely with what has been entrusted to them but instead squanders the opportunity given to them because they fail to see its true potential and value.  The young, prodigal son ends up tending the swine and hungering for the food that they are eating.  The other steward is facing a future of digging or begging for which he is not suited.  What can be done?  The one son returns home and humbles himself before his father and is received back home with mercy and celebration.  The other steward goes about charitably sacrificing his commission for the debtors of his master and earns his master’s praise for his prudence.

    Each of us has been given a gift in life.  We are stewards of that gift.  We have not earned that gift ourselves and we have done nothing to deserve it but it has been entrusted to us with the expectation that we will do something good with the opportunity that we are given.  St. Paul tells Timothy, his “true child in faith”, “I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.  I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.  Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1Tim 1,12ff)  The world tells us to “live for the moment” and not worry about what tomorrow might bring.  With that mind-set we waste our time and money on passing things and squander the grace that has been entrusted to us.  St. Paul understood the value of the gift that he had been given in mercy and he became a true steward of God’s graces.  St. Paul writes to Timothy in his second letter:  “He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed preacher and apostle and teacher…Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us…So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2Tim 1,9ff.14; 2,1)  The grace of our time on earth might seem like a small thing to us and the grace of our life in Christ Jesus perhaps may be traded for some passing attraction but Jesus cautions his disciples, “The person who is trustworthy in  very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.  If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?  If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?” (Lk 16,10ff)

    We often put great effort into preparing for our future in retirement on earth but what have we done to prepare for our future in the life to come?  Have we used this time on earth and the resources and gifts that have given to us to lay up a treasure in heaven?  Are we placing our trust in the Mammon of this world or are we entrusting ourselves to the grace and mercy of God?  Are we being prudent with our time on earth and using it wisely to prepare for our final accounting in heaven?  We are called to begin in humility, follow in prayer and give generously our gifts to be used in ministry and service to others.  Our lives are not our own, we are stewards of God’s grace, use this opportunity prudently and wisely!