tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post36030121267059298..comments2024-02-14T14:53:03.810-07:00Comments on Καθολικός διάκονος: An exegetical note on last Sunday's GospelDeacon Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-59137850779384111402010-09-22T12:22:30.577-06:002010-09-22T12:22:30.577-06:00To me, it's fascinating that Jesus would choos...To me, it's fascinating that Jesus would choose to tell a parable about such a problematic protagonist when he could easily have chosen someone else. No doubt his auditors have something to do with it: Lk 15:1: "The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'" This parable follows immediately the one about the prodigal son (another problematic protagonist) and comes right before the parable of the rich man and Lazaras. <br><br>Also, I'm reminded of the similar parable of the unforgiving servant (Mt 18). In both cases, the hearts of the managers are revealed by adversity. The unjust steward's heart is revealed as poor (I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.). However, in the parable of the unforgiving servant, a man whose debt is forgiven goes out mercilessly collects what's owed to him: his heart is revealed as merciless. <br><br>The attitude of the unjust servant is honest even if his action is dishonest. We need the same honesty with regard to the eternal as most of us can easily find with regard to the temporal.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-2680061441493712952010-09-22T17:22:10.436-06:002010-09-22T17:22:10.436-06:00Yes, Fred. I think you capture well what Jesus tel...Yes, Fred. I think you capture well what Jesus tells us to avoid and to do when you write that the unjust steward's attitude <i>"is honest even if his action is dishonest. We need the same honesty with regard to the eternal as most of us can easily find with regard to the temporal"</i> I can only add, Amen!<br><br>I also think about the clueless master.Dcn Scott Dodgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09994604395739905637noreply@blogger.com