DAILY- HOMILY

18 September 2016

25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  

Cycle C.     Green.     

Am 8:4 – 7 / 1 Tim 2:1 – 8 / Lk 16: 1 – 13

From the Gospel Reading: Lk 16:1 – 10, 13  

At another time Jesus told his disciples, "There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service.  He summoned the steward and asked him: 'What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.

The steward thought to himself: 'What am I to do now?  My master will surely dismiss me.  I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do:  I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.

"So he called his master's debtors one by one. He asked the first who camel: 'How much do you owe my master?' The reply was:  'A hundred jars of oil.' The steward said: 'Here is your bill, Sit down quickly and write there fifty.' To the second he put the same question: 'How much do you owe?' The answer was: 'A thousand bushels of wheat."  Then he said: 'Take your bill and write eight hundred.'

"The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.  And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these men may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. . . .

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt.  You cannot give yourself both to God and Money." 

Reflection

The Gospel reading today can teach us three key lessons about life.

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First, "the master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light."  The dishonest steward prepared for his future security, knowing he would be fired by the master for his dishonesty.  He made friends with debtors of his master whose debts he greatly reduced so that they "owed" him and he could later call on them for help and support, as may be needed.

We should use our talents and gifts as best as we can in our following of Christ and our pursuit for the kingdom of God.  Thus, studies and proper preparation are required for the ministerial priesthood: a major reform of the Counter-Reformation Council of Trent was the greater standardization of the education of the clergy. Similarly the laity also need solid Christian formation and education.

Secondly, "whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones."   This is the lesson of the parable of the talents (Mt 25: 14 – 30; Lk 19: 12 -27; Mk 4: 25): "For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken away from them." We must use our gifts well and be truly productive.

Thirdly, "no servant can serve two masters. . . .You cannot give yourself both to God and Money."  The service of God demands our all: "If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments." "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me." (Mt 19: 17b. 21)

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Dr Evelyn N. Almalel

     Lourdes G. Choa

     Joaquin Nañagas

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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