Daily homily for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: WISDOM OF FORESIGHT
By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa
Homily for Friday November 5 2021
An African proverb says, “The stone that you see coming should not blind you.” This proverb clearly explains the action of a clever Steward whom Jesus spoke about. The steward was accused of mismanagement. He saw joblessness ahead as he knew he was going to be fired. He quickly developed a friendship with his master’s debtors by slashing their debts. He acted fast in order to build a network of friends who will welcome him after his dismissal. The Master praised the steward, not for his dishonesty and manipulative behaviour, but for cleverness in avoiding the on-coming inconvenience of unemployment. Jesus narrated this parable to teach his followers the wisdom of foresight. He challenges us against short-term reasoning and last-minute actions, and encourages his listeners to think far ahead and have concrete plans for the future. He calls on Christians to think and plan beyond this momentary material world and prepare for eternal life after death. Jesus says the children of this world are more astute than the children of light. By this, he means many people are enterprising and have economic and political foresight but, only a few wise people have spiritual foresight. The message of Jesus is clear: use all that you have wisely in working for the life hereafter. Are we so short- sighted in setting our hearts only on the things of the world or are we future-oriented in preparing ourselves for heaven?
Romans 15:14-21; Luke 16:1-8; Friday, 31st Week