Nabd ElHaya Editorial Team
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, offers a practical reading of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1–13) in his reflection for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. He links it to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, highlighting the human journey from awareness of one’s weakness and wrongdoing to concrete steps toward reconciliation and the rebuilding of relationships. The reflection emphasizes that humans are inherently prone to squandering: the younger son squandered his inheritance, and the steward mismanaged his master’s property. What unites the two, however, is the recognition of error and the effort to find a way out, opening the door to wise and practical actions that restore life and relationships.
Three central elements emerge in the reflection: the theme of squander that reveals human vulnerability, the image of the house as a symbol of return and refuge, and the action of the unjust steward, who, despite his self-interest, manages to build a network of support by alleviating others’ burdens and forgiving debts. In this way, social action becomes an entry point to mercy and a broader understanding of what Jesus calls the “eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9), which are opened through mutual love and cooperative action rather than moral isolation or attachment to possessions.
From Scripture to Daily Life
Palestine today faces a harsh reality. Between suffocating blockades and ongoing forced displacement, its people endure violence, destruction, and loss of life. Land confiscations, restrictions on movement, widespread unemployment, and migration pressures on families and youth compound the suffering. In this context, the Patriarch’s reflection becomes all the more vivid and urgent; it does not merely describe the situation in spiritual terms but issues a Gospel-based call for action and genuine concern.
The reflection bridges the Gospel text with everyday reality, presenting human suffering as it truly exists on the ground. Amid the current circumstances in Palestine, this suffering is evident in the faces of both Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank, transforming the Gospel message into a mirror that reveals the trials of the present. Readers and participants in this reflection are thus able to perceive the scale of tragedy critically—not as a theoretical concept but as tangible realities that call for empathy and concrete action to confront pain and injustice.
The Church as a Human Refuge
When the Patriarch highlights the steward’s actions in the parable—using some of his master’s wealth to ease others’ burdens and build relationships—he conveys a practical lesson that resonates with contemporary reality: The Church and its institutions can become human refuges amid crises. The Gospel’s call to love one’s neighbor and serve others entails opening doors to the displaced and vulnerable, as exemplified by the Latin Patriarchate’s Holy Family Church in Gaza, which has become a shelter for hundreds of displaced persons. The reflection’s message of mercy extends beyond spiritual contemplation into concrete action, offering protection to those facing violence and suffering. Institutions and churches that engage with this parable thus become genuine sanctuaries, where people find safety and care under the shelter of Christ’s love, moving from a sense of estrangement to an experience of closeness and reassurance.
Wisdom and Mercy
The Patriarch emphasizes in his reflection the importance of acting with wisdom and mercy in daily life. The Parable of the Unjust Steward demonstrates how what we possess can be used to alleviate others’ burdens and build strong networks of support. This call is not merely a spiritual idea but a practical invitation to live the Gospel: acknowledging mistakes, seeking ways to overcome weakness, and helping others bear their burdens. Theologically, it reflects the essence of Christianity in caring for others and rebuilding trust, in line with the Gospel’s teaching on love and mercy.
Concrete Initiatives of Hope
The connection between reflection and practical application is evident in Cardinal Pizzaballa’s recent initiatives, where words have moved beyond the pulpit into tangible actions on the ground. These initiatives include the cancellation of debts for Catholic schools within the framework of the Jubilee Year, easing financial burdens on educational institutions and families; opening Church facilities to serve as centers of support for the needy and displaced, providing shelter and essential humanitarian services, as seen in Gaza, and creating employment opportunities for youth through partnerships and programs that provide vocational training and jobs for hundreds of unemployed young people, enabling them to participate meaningfully in shaping their future.
Through these steps, the Catholic Church builds a bridge between faith and action, making Gospel reflection a means of illuminating the sorrows of the present and transforming them into seeds of hope. The religious text is no longer an isolated spiritual narrative but a direct message confronting reality with courage and determination.
In light of this, Cardinal Pizzaballa’s call can be understood as a Gospel-centered pause amidst a contemporary ordeal. He presents a new vision for the Church’s role—not as a closed, ancient door, but as a light open to those who suffer, not merely as a goal for preachers and clergy, but as a catalyst for a dynamic spiritual movement at the heart of history. The ongoing suffering in the Holy Land underscores that the Gospel is not merely a story of the past, but a continuous call that stirs our conscience, drives us toward genuine fraternal service, and opens horizons of hope and collaborative action despite pain.