Luke 16:1-13
I had a co-manager during my tenure at the UCCP National Office from 2006 to 2010, which was the time of our esteemed General Secretary Bishop Eliezer Pascual. He is known as Reverend Efraim V. Guerrero. Despite most of the time feeling isolated, he is an honest manager. This individual is characterized by his dignity and integrity, as well as his outspokenness. It was his responsibility to oversee all administrative matters related to the Church. While interacting with a variety of church leaders who held varying perspectives, he effectively managed them all without hesitation.
In today’s gospel, Jesus recounted his parable about the dishonest manager. The dishonest manager is a person who is astute and incisive, as demonstrated in the parable. It is possible for the dishonest manager to comprehend a situation and exploit it. He dishonored his master by appropriating his wealth in order to gain the respect of the populace towards him. We are currently experiencing the same thing. Our politicians and public officials are stealing our money in order to be honored by the public. The management of our resources was entrusted to them through the process of election and appointment. However, they mismanaged our fiscal budget and inserted billions of pesos to their advantage. Now, the populace is experiencing hardship as a result of the substantial flood control funds that were stolen. Those undertakings are never executed, substandard, and exorbitant.
The lifestyle they are leading is extravagant. Essentially, these contemporary dishonest managers are not serving their constituents; rather, they are serving for their own benefit. In conclusion, the concept posited that a dishonest manager cannot be trusted with any wealth, as they are serving two masters: themselves and the wealth. The acquisition of additional prosperity, according to St. Augustine, is a waste of existence. However, as individuals who believe in God, it is imperative that we adore ourselves in the manner of God and serve the people of God.
This unscrupulous behavior of politicians and government officials must be put to an end. The action to remove them from their office and place them under the jurisdiction of the justice system is scheduled for today. It is an act of justice for all individuals to unite in order to purify the government. As Pope Paul VI stated, “If you desire peace, you must strive for justice.” For the purpose of purifying and restoring our system, the peaceful rally that took place today is an act of justice. According to Catholic social teaching, this was emphasized as the concept of the common good, which stresses the importance of collective action for the improvement of society and governance.
To all victims of the nationwide flood and post-flood victims who contracted leptospirosis and other maladies as a result of the flood, as well as to my dear friend Reverend Ephraim V. Guerrero, who passed away as a result of leptospirosis, this is the time to pursue justice for you. I hope and believe that the individuals responsible for this substantial theft of funds from government accounts will be sentenced to imprisonment. God grants us the ability to act in accordance with the victims. The Prophet Isaiah (1:17) declared in a call, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” In order to cleanse and reform our system, you are responding on behalf of God’s action.
Prayer
O God of justice, it is time for Your Almighty Hands to act by empowering us. Please assist us in organizing a peaceful assembly to denounce the extensive theft of government funds through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I anticipate your unwavering aid during this assembly. A special supplication is offered for the Reverend Ephraim V. Guerrero, who passed away, and for the pursuit of justice in the wake of the unjust actions of our corrupt politicians and government officials. I pray that Your blessings be upon us. Amen.
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Prof. Ruel D. Garcia is a theology professor at La Consolacion University Philippines as well as the former editor-in-chief of the International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion (IJCHR.paschr.ph).
