Homily Thirty-First Friday of Ordinary Time (Lk 16:1-8) “Mediocre Businessperson, Good Friend”
Homily Thirty-First Friday of Ordinary Time (Lk 16:1-8) “Mediocre Businessperson, Good Friend”
I have a difficult time with this parable. I think a lot of people do. It seems like the dishonest steward is rewarded in the end. What is his failing? it is said that he squandered his master’s money. He seems to change his way of operating. But does he? Perhaps he continued to act as he always had.
The steward might have been lenient with too many of his master’s debtors all along and that is what got him into difficulty. We have all known generous businesspeople that never seem to worry too much about the bottom line but have an abundance of friends.
I had friend named Ralph who ran a little trophy shop. He was in business for years. Whenever I needed an award for a parish member, I would go to Ralph and he would cut me a deal. When he tried to sell his business, he wanted it to be sold to a friend. He waited for a couple years for his friend to get enough capital to buy his business.
Others would encourage Ralph to sell his business to someone else. But Ralph said that his friend needed a job and he stubbornly waited until finally the deal was struck. I don’t know if Ralph was ever paid in full before he died. Ralph probably would not have been considered very practical, but when he died no one had a harsh word to say about him.
I picture this steward as a lot like Ralph. The steward could have been pretty soft hearted, but he made a lot of friends. The master admired the bad steward for the good will he had generated not the profits that he had accrued.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I known a businessman like Ralph? What did I admire about them?
- Is it better to have acquired a lot of friends by the end of our life or material goods? What would Jesus have to say about this question?
Dear Parishioners,
I was informed that Jane Barrett has been recognized by the Diocese of Peoria as the principle of the year in the diocese. This is long overdue, and I am sure we would all like to congratulate her. She has been doing an especially good job this year as the school has dealt with the COVID pandemic. Congratulate her when you see her.
I also have been told that Bishop Tylka will make his first visit to Sacred Heart on November 20th to have a School Mass with the children. Bishop Tylka will also come back in the spring to celebrate confirmation here. All of this is good news, and it brightens our day in a difficult timer.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark