Homily for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel reading, a parable describes a rich man who confronts his steward about the mismanagement of his property. He orders the steward to prepare a full accounting and informs him that he will no longer be employed.

Recognizing his predicament, the steward courageously decides to seek help from his master’s debtors. He calls each of them and reduces the amounts they owe. While this action involves a level of dishonesty, it conveys a more profound message.

Interestingly, the master seems less angry with the steward after seeing how he has eased the burden on the debtors. Perhaps witnessing the steward’s mercy towards the debtors softened the master’s response as well. This highlights the transformative power of mercy in the face of wrongdoing.