In the second reading we are told that God our Saviour: "... desires everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2: 3-4) It is interesting that the expression "Saviour" is used here as it can also refer to Jesus as our Saviour. It is of the nature of the Saviour to save and not to condemn. Thus, as with the Gospel last week, where the Father runs to greet his lost son and restore his dignity, so to day the rich man praises the dishonest steward. Does this mean that we too can be dishonest? By no means! It is only God who can write straight using and trans forming the crooked line. saint Paul teaches: "What then are we to say? Should we continue to sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?" (Rm 6: 1-2) We should not commit the sin of presumption in thinking that God will save us regardless. His mercy is for those who recognize their sin and there need of mercy which means that we need to feel the sorrow and contrition that arises from a true appreciation of the wrongs we have done. It is only then that we can have suitable awe at God's graciousness: "But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Rm 5: 8) Like the dishonest steward we need to make every effort while we are alive to prepare for our eventual encounter with the God of mercy who will ask from us an accounting for all the love we have received.
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