Choosing with Intention or Squandering

Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. From Luke 16:1-13

The gospel lesson for this week is one that has challenged scholars and interpreters for centuries. It is hard to discern an easy answer for what appears to be a commendation of bad business practices and shrewdness that borders on the ends justifying the means. What caught my imagination this year is the opening line of the parable. There is a report of squandering of property that sets the whole set of events in motion. So, rather than trying to resolve the complexities of what follows, I’m more curious about the squandering.

When we look back into our lives, we likely see times when we made choices with intentionality and when we squandered opportunity. When did I choose forgiveness over staying in a place of anger? When did I choose relationship over a need to be in the right? When did I choose to value time and not squander a chance to enter in a deeper conversation with someone rather than focus on a task that seemed important? 

When we ask ourselves these questions it requires space and time for reflection. It invites a slowing down of our natural reactivity so that we can live with purpose and gratitude. It also can reduce our regrets. Of course, we have times when we act without intentionality—we are, after all, human. But when we see those as opportunities for growth in the future, that is also an opportunity to not squander the learning that is available to us.

Like many of you, I am so concerned about the division and hatred that appears rampant in our world. I see it in our individual angst all the way to nation states. It is overwhelming, and I think we need to draw deeply on our faith practices and our communities to create a different mode of response.

Many of us feel unsafe and embedded in fear. Our rhetoric and blame casting does not help resolve this lack of stability. How do we not squander the opportunity to be the church in these times? The Book of Common Prayer says the mission of the church is to, “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (BCP p. 854) It is a high calling and it only happens when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and ground ourselves in justice, peace, and love.

I know the only place to start is where we are. So, look for daily opportunities to act with intentionality. We only have one life, and God wants us to savor and honor the good gift that it is given to us. Choose to be children of the light and bear God’s grace into our fractured world. Small acts make large impacts.

Peace, Beth +