Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, November 19, 2023
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Glorious Mystery
(Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20.30-31,1Thessalonians5:1-6,Matthew 25:14-30)

TODAY’S REFLECTION
Christians are to be alert all the time and be ready for the coming of Christ. They are to diligently carry out their Christian duties just like the woman of valour described in Proverbs 31:10-31.

The parable of the talents carries the message further. It shows the need to work with diligence in order to bear fruit for eternal life. God gives his gifts according to each person’s ability. There is no one without talents from God. The problem is that some people waste their time and talents on irrelevant things, on jealousy and rivalry instead of developing themselves and using their gifts positively. We are accountable to God for all the gifts he has given to us. Shall we be like the servants who made more talents or like the wicked and lazy servant who buried his master’s talent?

In the ancient world, a “talent” was a large sum of money. Our Lord plainly says that He expects much from those who have been given much (Lk 12:48). We servants of the Lord are branches connected to the vine, and because of that connection, we will bear fruit (Jn 15:5). In today’s Gospel parable, the money can be compared to spiritual gifts and graces that God has given to each servant (Mt 25:14ff). God expects much in return because of such great need in suffering, sinful humanity.

If, by our inaction, we do nothing with the gifts and graces He has given us, we become dormant, petrified, and fossilized (Jn 15:6). We stifle the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) and bear no fruit.

So, if you have buried your “talent,” go and dig it up. Stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord bestowed in your Baptism and Confirmation (2 Tm 1:6-7). “Receive the Holy Spirit” anew (Jn 20:22).

What can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus’ story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while they were gone.

Why did Jesus tell this story and what can it teach us? Most importantly it tells us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants. The parable speaks first of the Master’s trust in his servants. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master’s workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money.

The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants’ conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master’s money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master’s money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.

God rewards those who use their gifts to serve him and the good of others
What do coins and the law of economics do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it’s not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts to do good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have.

There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?

“Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me make good use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and kingdom.” Have a fantastic Sunday and stay blessed

Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD