The Gospel of Luke, chapter 16:10

The honest person is a just person; that is, he or she gives other people their due and manages his or her own affairs justly. The virtue of honesty should be cultivated at the earliest stage of one’s upbringing, and manifested especially in the way we handle little things. Thus Jesus reminds us that “anyone” who is dishonest “in a slight matter is also dishonest in greater” matters.

Honesty is, by far, the best policy to adopt. People who are honest are the best candidates to manage the affairs of others.In practice, however, this is not how the world sees it. Once I was asked for advise about who I would recommend to sit on a Diocesan pension board after most of the funds went missing. I recommended a reliable person we both knew with a lot of knowledge on the subject. I received this response: “But he’s too honest.” To which I replied: “who would you rather have handling your pension, an honest person or a dishonest person?”

Whether or not the honest person will be recognized for his or her honesty in a corrupt environment is not the point. The point is that the honest person will be blessed with sufficient of this world’s goods and will not be eager to store up possessions, dishonestly, because they know that happiness does not come from possessions alone.

A good character is a person’s best reference even in this day and age when justice and honesty are often wanting. The person of character in matters of honesty and justice is a rare jewel.

God never abandons His people, and there is a satisfaction which God bestows upon honest people in this life; it is the satisfaction of having a good conscience.

Strive to be honest and just in all your dealings as you travel through life. It is the christian way. Begin by being honest with yourself so you can show this face to the world, and so that others who see your deeds, may respond in kind.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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