𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙, 𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 | 21 Sep 2025 HOMILY with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

Summary

In this powerful sermon, the speaker reflects on the Gospel of Luke's parable of the dishonest manager, urging the congregation to consider the proper use of wealth and the importance of spiritual integrity. The message challenges us to prioritize humility, service to others, and the pursuit of salvation over material gain. The speaker warns about the corrupting power of money, calling for repentance and a life of honesty and holiness. Through introspective reflections and a call to conversion, the homily reminds us that true fulfillment lies in living a righteous life, not in accumulating wealth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of humility and reflection on one's life choices, as the speaker highlights the theme of salvation and moral living.
• 😀 The speaker references the Gospel story about a manager who used shrewd tactics to secure his future, drawing a lesson on worldly wisdom and its contrast to spiritual values.
• 😀 A warning about the corrupting influence of money, with a call to remember saints who lived lives of holiness and incorruption.
• 😀 A personal reflection on the speaker’s own struggles with voice loss, humorously linking it to the theme of being heard and finding one's voice.
• 😀 The question 'How much do you owe your master?' is raised as a metaphor for examining personal debts, both material and spiritual.
• 😀 The sermon emphasizes conversion, repentance, and the need for a humble heart, asking people to listen to both the 'shoutings' of society and the 'whisperings' of God.
• 😀 A call to avoid the pursuit of wealth at the expense of one's soul and integrity, reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and material gain.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that true salvation comes not from accumulating wealth but from serving others and practicing humility.
• 😀 A reminder of the importance of confession, conversion, and contrition, suggesting that we must return what we have wrongfully taken, reflecting justice and moral integrity.
• 😀 The speaker shares a thought-provoking idea that the 'mathematics of life' involves subtraction of pride, greed, and addition of humility and service, not just multiplication of wealth.
• 😀 The closing message encourages listeners to live a grateful life and remember that crime does not pay, reiterating the importance of moral values and personal integrity in one’s life journey.

Q & A

What is the central message of the Gospel reading about the rich man and his manager?

The central message highlights the cleverness of the manager who, knowing he was about to be dismissed, reduced the debts owed to his master in order to secure his future. Jesus uses this story to teach about wise stewardship of resources and the importance of using worldly goods to build relationships that will endure beyond material wealth.

What does the priest mean by saying, 'You cannot serve both God and money'?

The priest is emphasizing that material wealth can corrupt and distract us from our spiritual priorities. By focusing too much on money, one risks compromising their relationship with God, as the pursuit of wealth can lead to greed and moral compromise.

How does the priest relate the theme of corruption to the Filipino people's situation?

The priest draws a parallel between personal corruption and systemic corruption, particularly in the context of government officials who misuse their power. He urges the congregation to reflect on how greed and dishonesty affect the nation, just as they can affect personal integrity and family life.

What lesson does the priest want the congregation to take from the Gospel?

The priest wants the congregation to learn the importance of honesty, humility, and self-reflection. He challenges them to consider what they 'owe' to God and to reflect on their actions, particularly in relation to money, power, and their relationships with others.

Why does the priest emphasize the value of conversion and confession?

Conversion and confession are central to spiritual growth. The priest encourages the congregation to repent for any wrongdoing, particularly in how they may have been corrupted by money or power, and to seek God's forgiveness for renewal and spiritual healing.

What does the priest mean by 'the mathematics of life'?

The 'mathematics of life' refers to the idea that true wealth does not come from accumulating money, but from sharing goods, diminishing pride, and cultivating humility. The priest suggests that the spiritual equation of life involves the subtraction of greed and the addition of service to others.

How does the priest encourage the congregation to live in a way that honors God?

The priest encourages the congregation to live a life of gratitude and service, emphasizing that wealth should not be the ultimate goal. He stresses the importance of humility, honesty, and a deep connection with God over material success.

What is the significance of the question, 'How much do you owe your master?' in the context of the sermon?

The question is a call to self-examination. It challenges the congregation to reflect on their own debts—not just in a financial sense, but also in terms of their moral and spiritual responsibilities to God and to others. It asks them to consider what they owe in terms of their actions and their use of resources.

What does the priest mean when he says, 'No point in using your health to gain your wealth, and then in the end using your wealth to gain your health'?

The priest is commenting on the futility of prioritizing wealth over health and well-being. He highlights the irony of people sacrificing their health in pursuit of wealth, only to find that the wealth they accumulated cannot buy back their health later in life.

What is the significance of the priest's closing remarks about crime not paying and the importance of staying good?

The priest concludes by reinforcing the idea that living a life of integrity and goodness is the true path to spiritual fulfillment. He warns against the temptation to engage in dishonest or criminal behavior for personal gain, reminding the congregation that such actions will ultimately lead to spiritual loss rather than true success.