Homily for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time
by Fr. Azam Vianney Mansha, CJM - STL
Today’s Gospel passage is called “The Parable of the Unjust Steward.” It is one of those parables which are often hard to understand because the master of the house praised the unjust steward, saying, “He had done wisely.” In other words, “Is Jesus encouraging dishonesty?”
As I encouraged you last week to re-visit our Christian Theology, I do so again this week because this parable goes beyond its title, “The Parable of the Unjust Steward.” This title does not actually define the core of the parable, which represents a picture of two worlds, as Jesus Himself said in the parable, “for the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” In other words, this parable can be renamed as “The Parable of the Preparation for the Next World.”
Now focusing on the symbolisms of this parable, we can see some parallel images, such as honest and dishonest, world and heaven, children of darkness and children of light, good and bad. The parallel images, however, which we often forget are MATERIAL BANK and SPIRITUAL BANK.
What are these so-called MATERIAL BANK and SPIRITUAL BANK? Before I go on to explain further, a quick question first: Why do we save money in the bank? Many would say, “For a rainy day.” As you can see, the unjust steward was focusing on his material bank, which means that he was investing in people so that when he would not have a job nor a position, and he would be going through “rainy days” someday, his worldly friends would welcome him. Indeed, through earthly materials, he earned earthly friends. For his action, the master praised him and St. Augustine of Hippo (Church Father and Doctor of the Church) sees this action of the unjust steward as “foresight for the future” (Sermon 359 A.10, p. 255).
Now here comes the twist in the parable, and that is, if the children of the world can make friends with material things or can use material means to invest in earthly friendships, what about Christians? Can we not invest in our spiritual banks so that we can have spiritual friendships?
Indeed, to invest in our spiritual banks is lend to the Lord as it is written in the Sacred Scripture:
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and will be repaid in full (Proverbs 19:17)
How do we invest in our spiritual banks? It is very easy, but very demanding as well. In reality,
Jesus Himself has given us instructions on how to invest in our spiritual banks and based on our spiritual investment, we will be judged on the last day. It is as Jesus said: “When I was hungry, you fed me; when I was thirsty, you gave me a drink; when I was naked, you gave me cloth, when I was sick, you visited me and when I was a stranger, you accommodated me.” To the question of righteous people, “When did we serve you?” God replied, “Whatever you did to the least of my brothers, you did to me” (Matthew 25). I believe you remember one of our famous Christian songs by Robert Kochis:
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me. When I was hungry, you gave me to eat; When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink. Now enter into the home of My Father. Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, when we invest in our spiritual banks, we do not only gain friends in heaven, but God also blesses us in this world.
In February 2022, I got an email from the airlines for an upgrade in my seat to business class. I had been travelling for almost 16 years but I never had the desire to travel by business class. This time, however, I do not know why, but when I saw the email, there was this desire in me to at least see how business class looks like and how it works. I begun the process of accepting the offer, but then suddenly, I stopped because the airlines was asking me to pay $300 for the upgrade! I immediately refused to complete the process because I believe that whatever I have or whatever gifts I receive, they all belong to the poor and the mission.
The day of my flight from Karachi to Dubai to Manila arrived. After clearing all the S.O.P.’s at the Dubai airport, I boarded the plane and sat in my economy seat. As the other passengers boarded, I recited my rosary for a safe trip. Suddenly, a young girl came up to me and gazed at me, then she left and brought a flight attendant back with her. The flight attendant asked for my boarding pass. I immediately gave it to her and said, “So sorry if I am sitting in the wrong seat. She can take my seat and I can sit at the back.” The flight attendant looked at my face and went somewhere while the young girl stood by my seat. After 10 minutes, the flight attendant came back and said, “Sorry Sir, there has been a mistake. We have issued one seat to two passengers.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and we ask for an apology. As the airlines’ policy, you are now being upgraded to business class for your trip from Dubai to Manila.” What?!!! Business class!!! In my heart, I was so surprised by the action of God, which reminded me once again that if I take care of the people of God, God will take care of me. I enjoyed my first and last business class trip, and I am proud to say that I am happy with economy class.
Dear sisters and brothers, Pope Francis reminds us that “Charity is the beating heart of the Christian: just as one cannot live without a heartbeat, so one cannot be a Christian without charity” (June 05, 2021).
May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, intercede for us so that we may frequently invest in our spiritual banks through works of mercy in order to gain friendship with God and the saints.
