Homily: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2007

Brothers and sisters, "Make friends for yourself with unrighteous mammon." (Lk 16:9). I've always wondered about this line in the parable of God's mercy which is the story of the unjust steward. I mean, I've always gotten the irony of the cleverness of the "child of this world" concerning money -- his cleverness was praised even though his dishonesty was not. But right afterward, this proverb is given by Our Lord: "make friends for yourself with unrighteous mammon so that when it fails [and it will] they may receive you into the eternal habitations." So, you don't love money -- you love God -- you're not devoted to money -- you're supposed to despise it -- but you USE it. How? Well, that's where it gets to be fun. That is, assuming you have even a dollar left over after you pay the rent or mortgage, the food, the taxes, insurance and utilities. What can you do? Well, you can give to the poor with your money. They will be praying for you -- and thus you may achieve the "pray always" dictum of St. Paul. You can pay for your children's college. You don't have to. But how nice to give them the gift of education -- one they can never lose (or have stolen). It will have ripple effects far beyond your imaginings. You can help a friend with their business. And refrain from criticizing him when it fails. You can keep up the appearance of your house a little. For that makes good neighbors. You can keep up your own appearance a little, at least enough so you can be approachable. And you can welcome guests. In Africa they leave their doors unlocked all the time, "Or else what will happen if a friend comes by to visit?" And I know -- I've been there -- all these things cost money. But money fails, so you want to have used it wisely and well before it does. And you will be welcomed into the Father's House -- and THAT will never fail.

Let us now profess our faith.