💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 8 💖

First Reading - Romans 16:3-9,16,22-27 

Gospel - Luke 16:9-15

In life, people often measure success by wealth, influence, or status. Yet, Jesus continually turns these measures upside down. Today’s readings remind us that true greatness is found not in how much we possess, but in how faithfully we use what we’ve been given—for love, service, and the glory of God. The theme that flows through today’s liturgy is clear: be faithful stewards of what God entrusts to you, using everything for His Kingdom, not for self-centered gain.

In the first reading, St. Paul ends his letter to the Romans by greeting a long list of people—Priscilla and Aquila, Epenetus, Mary, and others—ordinary believers who worked quietly but faithfully for the Gospel. These names might seem easy to overlook, yet Paul highlights them as pillars of the early Church. Their faith, hospitality, and service made the mission of Christ possible. Paul’s recognition of them teaches us something profound: God’s Kingdom is built not only by preachers and apostles, but also by faithful men and women who serve with love in the background. Faithfulness, not fame, is what matters in God’s eyes.

In the Gospel, Jesus continues His teaching on the wise use of worldly wealth. He warns that we cannot serve both God and money. Wealth and possessions are not evil in themselves, but they become dangerous when they take the place of God in our hearts. Jesus reminds us that whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in great ones. The way we handle little things—money, responsibilities, relationships—reveals our true character. God looks not at the size of our possessions but at the sincerity of our stewardship.

Faithfulness in small things is where holiness begins. The saints of history were not born extraordinary; they were faithful in the ordinary—generous in giving, honest in dealing, kind in speaking, and consistent in prayer. Every act of faithfulness, however small, becomes a building block in God’s Kingdom.

Dear friends, today’s readings invite us to examine where our loyalties truly lie. Do we serve God wholeheartedly, or do we allow the pursuit of comfort, wealth, or recognition to lead us away from Him? The Lord calls us to choose: to be people who use the gifts of this world wisely for the good of others, not slaves to them.

This means living with simplicity, generosity, and gratitude. It means using our work, resources, and influence not for self-glory but for service. It means recognizing that everything we have—our time, relationships, skills, and even challenges—can become instruments of grace if offered back to God.

Let us, then, follow the example of the faithful believers Paul praised and the teaching of Jesus who calls us to wholehearted loyalty. May we live each day with integrity and gratitude, using our blessings for the good of others. In a world obsessed with possessing more, may we choose instead to love more, serve more, and trust more—knowing that in being faithful stewards, we find the truest riches of all.