HOMILY FOR THE 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C
Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi
What lesson does Christ teach us by the parable of the unjust servant in the Gospel? (Luke 16:1-13). Any one of us might be inclined to ask: What shrewd manner is Jesus proposing for the way to heaven? Was he commending the unjust steward for what he did? Can such a dishonest person be taken as a model of foresight, prudence and wisdom? Of course, not! Seeing that he was about to lose his job and afraid of his future security, the unjust steward lavished his master’s possession. Wasn’t that selfish of him? According to the norm, he had no right to do this since he was still a steward, and should have required the permission of his master. The surprising part of the story is that the master praised his shrewdness in making provisions for his future. Now, how can a man who had been cheated by his steward, someone who has suffered a substantial and irretrievable loss commend a crooked steward? This would mean then that both the unjust steward and his master valued the same thing –shrewdness. They are clever in dealing with things of this world. That is why they are classified by Christ as sons of this age. Christ said: the master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness, for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light (Luke16:8).
With these words, we are clear then that Jesus neither commends nor approves of the master’s commendation of his steward. Jesus uses this parable to teach us the need for prudence, foresight and wisdom in striving after our salvation. He makes a demarcation between the sons of this age and the sons of light, as he urges the sons of light to exhibit such cleverness as that of the sons of this age in their pursuit of heaven. Therefore, far from giving an impression of using a mischievous method for salvation, the parable teaches the need of such cleverness that is infused with proper acts of charity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The Christian has only one option; to be/remain a child of light and by this be clever enough to store up treasures in heaven by the means of a generosity of mind and heart. No one can serve two masters at the same time, since one would be loved more than the other. Therefore, material possessions ought to be put into use for the service of others. They should help us gain eternal security, just as the unjust steward used his astuteness to secure his future -make friends for yourselves by the use of material possessions (cf. Luke 16:9). Like the master, God is the owner of everything. And like the steward, we have been put in-charge and have nothing we can really call ours. God is in-charge.
We have a lot to learn from nature. The autumn might come with a feeling of sadness and disillusionment. The exciting promise of Spring’s young and vibrant colours is now a faded memory. Daylight wanes and darkness advances a step each evening. We are confronted with the dying blaze of tree and hedgerow. And we hear the crisp sound of dried leaves under our feet. These remind us of the end of many things. This autumnal experience brings us face to face with the emptiness of having little to look forward to. Here is a great lesson on the impermanence of everything. Is it not then the perfect time to reflect on how wise we become when we use those momentary things to secure the eternal reality in heaven? Sometimes, in our pursuit of material possessions, we act like that child who follows too far on a pleasant pathway of flowers and get lost, or the one who plays games until the night has crept upon him, and then is unable to find his way home. Some other times, in our insatiability and selfishness, we act like that child who hoards and eats too many berries and gets sick, instead of sharing the berries with his friends that all might eat and stay healthy. Share with others; for that is the proper use of material possessions.
However, it could really be sickening to find the opposite becoming the case. Instead of sharing with the poor, they instead are faced with oppression from the rich; either by intimidation, negligence or denying them what is due to them. This is why the prophet Amos spells it out that the Lord does not smile at the oppressors of the poor (cf. First Reading –Amos 8:4-7). The reason why Paul advises Christians to pray for everyone, especially those who hold public offices (cf. The Second Reading -1 Timothy 2:1-8) could now be understood; this is because directly or indirectly, the social injustices of this world could be connected to them. Ours is a vocation to love and share. So, when people make a generous use of all that they have, then their pilgrim way is a journey to God. We must then constantly remind ourselves that the good things we have in this life are but a foretaste of the genuine riches of eternity. The wise person then would use the good things to secure the genuine riches of heaven. Shall we then not say that the true value of material possessions is achieved when they assure eternal life with God? Yes, it is. May the Lord always keep us in his love. Amen. God bless you.
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