The Gospel Is Not About Profit

Homily for Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Both St. Matthew and Saint Luke include the parables that seem to champion the stewards that invest what they have been given to earn the king even more. St. Luke’s version of the story directly references and historical fact: Herod Archelaus did actually go to Rome to receive kingship and did slaughter those who opposed his appointment — this was a fact that the audience of Jesus’ teaching would have known.

When it is paired with the story of the Maccabean martyrs who willing died rather than disobey the Mosaic Law, it is the third steward who should be the focus of our attention. Usury was also against the Mosaic Law. Consequently, the resistance of the third steward to investing his master’s talent is much like the resistance offered by the seven sons of the Maccabean woman who resist the order of Antioch us for them to eat pork.

The mother and her sons refuse to compromise with the tyrant, even under the threat of death. Likewise, the servant who refuses to invest money in order to gain interest is refusing to compromise a violent king. Both readings highlight faithful resistance. True discipleship means saying “no” to unjust demands, even at great cost. The violence of this king becomes all too evident at the end of this parable. The king in Jesus’ parable is no image of God — he is a mirror of worldly power that demands profit and slays dissenters.

Discipleship is not about profit but fidelity. The world rewards exploitation; God rewards faithfulness. As we already know, faithful disciples are often called upon to suffer for resisting tyranny, but they gain eternal life. This interpretation of this parable contradicts what we ordinarily think of it. However, several Scripture commentators, for example Sr. Barbara Reid, offer this interpretation as a possible way to read the parable.

If the Eucharist teaches us anything about Jesus, it is that he was faithful to the will of his Father and faithful to his love of his disciples. As we receive his body and blood this morning, let us pledge our faithfulness to the mission He has given us.