In the gospel, Luke presents us with a difficult challenge:  Be like the steward. We may think - Luke has to be kidding! Why does Jesus praise the clever and devious steward? Today, money is a focus.  However, the Gospel is about more than making money. Luke then links this teaching to clear examples of the importance of his disciples giving their exclusive loyalty to God, and not to possessions or money.  It is not that the Lord opposes making legitimate profits, employing shrewd but honest practices, in generating money.  He asks us to be shrewd in our work, but loyal to God, first.
 
The gospel message is not about playing economically dead. Rather, it teaches the opposite. Use well, wisely, and cleverly, our gifts and talents. Be shrewd how we do what we do.
 
As the church speaks on social justice and human rights issues, Luke’s Gospel story challenges us to be smart, as well as shrewd, in how we teach and spread the Gospel. We are challenged to go into the streets and work for the betterment of others, not self - and we should begin right here in our faith community. So, we bring Jesus Christ to our lives and the lives of others.  Today, Luke reminds us to be clever and smart in how we do it!

At the height the jubilee in 2000, a very interesting painting by Rembrandt became popular at that time - the painting depicting the prodigal son or also known to be a painting of the merciful father.
 
We see in the gospel the true depiction of that painting and we can all relate to the message of the readings today. The older brother’s plight is not uncommon.  We may even know how he feels because, at times, we have felt like him.  But we can also see ourselves in the younger brother's eyes - we went away, further from our father's house. Whichever situation we can relate to in the gospel reading, the message is absolutely clear. Our God is rich in mercy.
 
When and how we ask for forgiveness to return to our God is our choice. All we know is that when we make that choice, our Father is the first to forgive us, the first to welcome us home, and the first to restore our place in God's family. The only catch is that we need to take that first step towards forgiveness.
 
Today, let us examine ourselves whether we are the younger or the older brother in the gospel. Let us make that first step to ask for God's mercy to return to Him. We know that once we decide to ask forgiveness from our God, the Lord will run to us, and do the rest.