Homily for Saturday 10th November 2018
_“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. *Luke 16:13*_
Our Gospel passage today is actually a commentary on the Parable of the Unjust Steward. A man heard that his steward was wasting his goods and decided to sack him. The steward for his path thought about what to do and decided to call his master’s creditors one after the other to reduce their debt so that after he had been removed from office, there would be people to welcome him into their homes.
At first glance, it does appear that Jesus approves of the behaviour of this steward but in reality, Jesus is actually warning us against the foolishness of the unjust steward. What the unjust steward failed to realize was that the master knew exactly how much his creditors were owing him and he was determined to retrieve the exact amount in due time. In the long run, none of these creditors would welcome him into their homes. The steward attempted to serve two masters but failed woefully. Jesus teaches us “no one can serve two masters… you cannot serve God and mammon.”
Do not be deceived, money can never buy you heaven. Jesus says “he who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” This implies, one who is dishonest with the material things of the earth will not be trusted with higher realities. Jesus asked: “if you have not been faithful in unrighteous mammon, who will entrust you with true riches?” If we assume that heaven is sure for us because of our hefty donations from ill-gotten riches (blood money), we are only deceiving ourselves.
No doubt, Money is good. Merely knowing that one has money brings joy to the heart and a sense of security. We need money for food, shelter, movement, health, education, etc. money is worth working for. Jesus himself worked for money by assisting Joseph in his carpentry workshop. The psalmist says: “by the labour of your hands, you shall eat.” Psalm 128:2. There is no crime in working hard to make money because money is important but then, it is great sin to worship money. As powerful as money may be in solving many problems, money does not equate God.
The question now is, how do I know when I am worshipping money? Or better put, how do I prevent myself from serving two masters? The tipping point between working hard for money and worshipping money is faithfulness to keeping the commandments of God. If we are not afraid of offending God in order to make money, it shows that money is the god we worship. If we are more afraid of losing money than losing our friendship with God, it means we worship money. If we value the time spent in making money more than the time offered to God, money is our lord and master. If we can afford to tell even a single lie for the sake of money, it means money is our alpha and omega.
Again, if the only reason why we go to church so that God will give us more money, then it is money we worship. This is my problem with the gospel of prosperity; a gospel that equates the church to a bank that doubles our seeds, tithes and offerings; a gospel that makes us believe wealth is the highest virtue any human being can attain. Those who preach prosperity try to convince us that their wealth comes from God but in reality, they are only using the name of God as a means to obtain riches from the thousands of poor people who flock to their programs in hope that one day God will make them as rich as the preacher himself (which of course never happens). They appear like helpers sent to free the people from the yoke of poverty but they are wolves in sheep clothing.
Let us learn from St. Paul who said in today’s first reading: “Not that I complain of want, for I have learnt, in whatever state I am, to be content… in any and all circumstances I have learnt the secret of facing poverty and hunger, abundance and want.” It is only when we are content that we would afford not to sin because of money. It is when we are content that we worship God rather than money.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to seek first your kingdom rather than the passing things of this world. Amen. St. Leo, the great, Pray for us. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Philippians 4:10-19, Psalm 112:1-9 and Luke 16:9-15).
No comments:
Post a Comment