Year A
Proverbs 31:10-13,
19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30
For to everyone who
has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even
what he has will be taken away.
Matthew 25:29
“Use it or lose it!”
We’ve all heard that before.
Maybe it refers to an exercise program to build muscle, a class to learn
a skill, increase knowledge, or learn a foreign language. In virtually every way we understand that we
must continue to put into practice what we have or we run the risk of losing it
altogether. There is a famous quote
attributed to a number of musicians and composers. It states, “If I miss one day of practice I
notice it. If I miss two days of
practice the critics notice it. If I
miss three days of practice the audience notices it.” So it is in the spiritual life. If we cease to practice, we cease to perform,
or at least we cease to perform well.
Our Lord is hitting on the same idea in today’s Gospel. He tells one of many parables intended to
catch our attention and ensure we will continue in the things we have
learned.
As we are drawing to the end of the liturgical year, the
Church offers us exhortations regarding the last things. Our focus in this Year A is on St. Matthew’s
Gospel and, this week in particular, chapter 25, where we are given a series of
parables regarding the return of our Lord to be the judge of the living and the
dead. Today He offers us the Parable of
the Talents.
A talent was a measurement of weight and, more specifically,
an amount of money. A rich master
entrusts his servants with a certain amount of money based on their
ability. His top man gets 10 talents, his
next gets 5, and the last gets one. They
are expected to work hard at trading and investing so the master will receive a
return on the money he has deposited with them.
The first two are successful. They double each of their investments. The last is not. He is lazy and buries the talent in order to
be able to keep it safe and return it to the master when he comes back.
When the master returns he calls for an accounting. The first two are rewarded according to what
they have produced. The last is rebuked,
removed from his position, and cast into prison. Furthermore, the talent he had was given to
the one who had earned 10 talents for the obvious reason that the master could
expect the best return on his investment from this person.
In our first reading today we see a similar principle. The ideal woman is praised for her diligence
and productivity. She benefits her
husband and family and so is a blessing to them. The Church sees in her a portrait of
Herself. She is the Bride of Christ
actively laboring for the salvation of souls.
In the second reading St. Paul is reminding the Thessalonian
Church that they were taught to always be on the alert and ready for the return
of our Lord. Otherwise, He will come
like a thief in the night. They are exhorted
to remain alert and sober so they will be ready at whatever hour the Master
arrives.
We are being called, then, to an accounting of our own
spiritual condition and work. Are we
ready? Are we being diligent? Are we seeing a return on the Lord’s
investment? Are we remaining vigilant,
awake, and sober?
Right now there are so many things vying for our
attention. One dare not consult the news
for fear of being assaulted with more.
But this has always been the trick of the enemy. The particulars change, but the strategy
remains the same. Get us so distracted
and distraught that we have no time or energy to be doing the work to which we
have been called.
When Jesus came He called people to follow Him as His
disciples. He still calls us today. Then He gives us a work to do. We have the privilege of becoming co-laborers
with Him in the kingdom of heaven.
Through our prayers, sacrifices, and efforts, souls are reached with the
love of Christ. As we remain faithful,
we will see a number come to faith in Christ and become disciples
themselves. We all have a part in
this. Priests are most prominent because
they preach the gospel and offer the sacraments. But we all have a place from contemplative
monks and nuns faithfully at prayer to those engaged in family life and
business to the janitor, the cook, the sanitation worker, or the elderly in a
nursing home. Everyone plays a part and
to the degree we engage in our respective duties the kingdom goes forward.
Furthermore, there are great and wonderful rewards to the
diligent and faithful. St. Paul says
that no eye has seen, no ear heard, nor has it entered our hearts what God has
prepared for those who love Him [1 Corinthians 2:9]. We can be certain that our heavenly rewards
will be more than we could ever hope or imagine!
But there is, unfortunately, another side to the story as
well. For those who have forsaken the
Master’s business and have hidden the grace that was given to them, a fearful
judgment awaits. Take heed dear friends. It is so easy to fall into this complacency
and not even notice. If the Lord is not
the daily focus of our lives then it is likely we are as this “wicked”, “lazy”,
and “useless” servant. The grace
deposited with us at Baptism will be removed and given to those who have been
busy about the Master’s work. May it not
be so of us!
Rather, with so much to be gained, let us be busy about our
Lord’s work just like Jesus was even as a boy of 12. Infinite grace is available to aid us in our
own ongoing battle against sin and our striving for holiness. The same is waiting to assist us in our
various ministries. The poor, the sick,
the forgotten, and the lost all await our service. Many will reject our efforts, but not
all. For there are many precious souls
just waiting for someone to bring them the love of Christ. The hour is late and the time for our Lord’s
return draws near. So let’s not waste
another moment.
If you find that you have become distracted and discouraged,
shake yourself awake! There’s much to be
done and we need all available hands. If
we are faithful we will have the joy of hearing, “Well done, my good and
faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.”
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