Sunday, November 17, 2002
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Prov 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.
Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.
She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.
She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.
She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.
She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.
2nd Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6
Brothers and sisters, you do not need anyone to write to you about the delay and the appointed time for these events. You know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people feel secure and at peace, the disaster will suddenly come upon them as the birth pangs of a woman in labor, and they will not escape.
But you, beloved, are not in darkness; so that day will not surprise you like a thief. All of you are citizens of the light and the day; we do not belong to night and darkness. Let us not, therefore, sleep as others do, but remain alert and sober.
Gospel: Mt 25:14-30 (or Mt 25:14-15, 19-20)
Jesus
told this parable to his disciples, "Imagine someone who, before
going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He
gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a
third, each one according to his ability; and he went away.
He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. The one who received two did the same and gained another two. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master's money.
After
a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning.
The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying:
'Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five
more with them.' The master answered: 'Very well, good and faithful servant,
since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you with
much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
Then the one who had two talents came and said: 'Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; I have two more which I gained with them.' The master said: 'Well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
Finally, the one who had received a talent came and said: 'Master, I know that you are an exacting man. You reap what you have not sown and gather what you have not invested. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours.' But his master replied: 'Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not invested. Then you should have deposited my money in the bank, and you would have given it back to me with interest on my return.
Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into the dark where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Commentary
"Your kingdom come" we pray often. But the coming of the Reign is not external to us. From the moment we were born our whole being is being prepared for its coming. Our personal history has for its final meaning its preparation for the Reign. As we develop we become more human in the exercise of our mind, heart and freedom and the development of the uniqueness of ourselves with all our talents and idiosyncrasies. In other words, we need to develop within ourselves the coming of the Reign. In a true sense we create our true destiny. It is not an exclusive effort. We need to live in the community of persons and in our environment. We need God to be ourselves. Then we take responsibility for our lives. We receive everything from God, but it is the uniqueness of the person to actively promote one's own growth and being. The glory of God is the human being fully alive.