HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. BORROMEO, BISHOP.
THEME: The parable of the bad steward. A big lesson for us.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA.
HOMILY FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4 2022.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Psalm 121:1-5
Luke 16:1-8
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In our first reading of today St Paul talks about the need for all believers to adhere to the path and the teachings which the Lord thier God has shown all of them, that they all should be genuine in their faith and way of life. They should not follow the path of worldliness or be distracted by the many worldly temptations all around them. The same reminder applies to us all as well, brothers and sisters, as in this day, even in our own communities, we have always faced those same challenges and trials, oppositions and difficulties. As Christians, we are expected to do the will of God, and to carry out the missions that He has entrusted to us, with all of our hearts and strength.
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
The parable we have just heard is one of the most puzzling of all the parables that Jesus spoke. The main character in the story is a steward who is dishonest and wasteful, as a result of which he is dismissed from his post. After his dismissal he takes decisive action to safeguard his future as best he can. Calling together his master’s creditors, he reduces what they owe, probably by cancelling the cut that he would have got for himself. In other words, he forfeited money he would have received to ensure that he received something more valuable, the goodwill and the hospitality of his master’s creditors. In a moment of crisis he realized that being in communion with others is more important than money and, on that basis, he took decisive action.
*CONCLUSION*
A moment of crisis brought home to him that some things were more important than acquiring wealth for himself, such as the friendship and hospitality of others. The landlord ends up praising his dishonest steward for his astuteness, his wisdom. What is Jesus saying to us through this story? The crisis that the steward found himself in brought a shift in his values. This can happen for us too. Jesus is calling on us to value people more than possessions, and to use our material resources in the services of others, especially those in greatest need. Our values are to be in line with the Lord’s values, and it is people he values more than anything else.
A Blessed Weekend to everyone!