Mammon in the small and in the big
(Lk 16:9-15)
The opportunist who was taking advantage of the goods of the community (vv.1-8) knew how to make great speeches - perhaps instrumental - on the necessary solidarity, but he did not live concrete fraternity.
Here, then, is a catechesis of Lk on fidelity in the small and in the great: very topical teaching.
«He who is faithful in a minimal thing, is faithful even in a great thing, and he who is unjust in a minimal thing, is unjust even in a great thing» (Lk 16:10).
To give concrete support and to risk one’s life - putting one hand on one’s conscience and one in wallet - is unfortunately still tiring and rare.
Well, the fairest world is laborious, «craftsmanship» work (FT n.217).
In the evangelist’s intention, the particular story alluded to in the previous vv. was to serve to concretely form his small communities on the use of material goods.
Originally all the communities arose among the destitute. Little by little they began to appear even wealthy.
The entry of the rich - initially well seen - brought many problems over time, including internal management of collective resources.
The commons sometimes became the exclusive preserve of leaders who no longer seemed to have clear ideas about the social role of money.
Obviously, to introduce this model of sharing, the choice had to start from closely: one could not oppress sisters and brothers of faith, and preach justice to the world.
Emancipation begins in the small of one’s family, acquaintances and friends; in the change of internal and daily relationships.
The fact is that God and Mammon give opposite orders. One distorts the other.
Well, sooner or later even those motivated by excellent intentions can come to despise the Father, Communion, the ideals lived even in day-to-day events - and get attached to banal shortcuts.
The official religious leaders, all congregated in the defense of the lavish gains secured by the ancient world (world supported with drawn sword) were indeed honouring the Eternal in the signs, but... they yielded to temptation.
Now devoid of both basic and detailed choices, the directors laughed behind Jesus' back, scheming secretly and in concert. Still today, unfortunately, treating Him as a naive dreamer (vv.14-15).
Yet the Master continues to educate us, so that we too may enter into his new «proactive» economy [as the bishops of South Africa, and the recent social encyclical, would perhaps define it].
Economy of gratuitousness that doesn’t impoverish - rather, it’s for a greatest «wealth as possible» that extinguishes the «desire to dominate», but makes stand «together as human beings» (FT n.229).
Here the small one becomes relevant. The challenge is open.
To internalize and live the message:
Are you generically supportive or? fraternal in conquibus?
Have you experienced the gift that does not impoverish but enriches?
[Saturday 31st wk. in O.T. November 8, 2025]
