THE FIRST READING (Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31) One might think that the woman who is a worthy wife is so only because of what she can do for her husband. Not so: the woman is an example of the good and faithful servant of whom Jesus speaks in the Gospel. And by extension, the Church is the one to whom Jesus, the Bridegroom, is entrusting his heart. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy . . .
THE GOSPEL (Mt 25:14-30) relates another parable:
A MAN GOING ON A JOURNEY The Man is Jesus and His journey was this: His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father.
CALLED IN HIS SERVANTS Who are His servants? His servants are disciples, followers and Ministers of the Gospel. Those who: endure afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; dishonor, and insult. They are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; they are unrecognized by the world and yet acknowledged by God; as dying yet live; as chastised, yet not put to death; sorrowful yet always rejoicing; poor yet enriching many; Having nothing and yet they possess all things (2 Cor 6:4-10). May all the servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God be such!
AND HE ENTRUSTED HIS POSSESSIONS TO THEM. What are His possessions that He entrusts to them? All that the Father has given Him: Sonship to Him, adoption to you; the Spirit to Him by right, to you by Gift; the New Covenant in His blood, to you the Sacred Mysteries; He is the message of the Gospel, you are His proclaimer and witness; His inheritance by right, your inheritance by reward.
TO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS; TO ANOTHER, TWO; TO A THIRD, ONE – TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY. The question is not how much you have been given but rather what you do with what you have been given.
THEN HE WENT AWAY. The Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God (Mk16:19).
IMMEDIATELY THE ONE WHO RECEIVED FIVE (AND TWO) TALENTS WENT AND TRADED WITH THEM AND MADE (AS MUCH AGAIN) And what is expected of those servants and of you? Faithfulness and fruitfulness! Since we have received gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: If prophecy, in proportion to the faith; If ministry, in ministering; if a teacher, in teaching, If one exhorts, in exhortation (Rom 12:6).
BUT THE MAN WHO RECEIVED ONE WENT OFF AND DUG A HOLE IN THE GROUND AND BURIED HIS MASTER’S MONEY. It seems that in despising the gift, he despised the Giver. . .
AFTER A LONG TIME THE MASTER OF THE SERVANTS RETURNED No one knows the time of His return, neither the day nor the hour. What you do know is that you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come (Mt 24:44).
AND HE SETTLED ACCOUNTS WITH THEM: As St. Paul says, so then each of us shall give an account of himself to God (Rm 14:12). For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil (2 Cor 5:10). Those who were faithful and fruitful will hear the master say:
WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. SINCE YOU WERE FAITHFUL IN SMALL MATTERS I WILL GIVE YOU GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES. What will it be like to receive such approval? To hear the Master speak to you in such a tender fashion?
COME, SHARE YOUR MASTER’S JOY. Like the laborers in the vineyard the faithful servants both receive the same reward: they will share in their Master’s joy!
THEN THE ONE WHO HAD RECEIVED THE ONE TALENT CAME FORWARD AND SAID . . . OUT OF FEAR I WENT OFF AND BURIED YOUR TALENT IN THE GROUND. The United States has elected a president who will promote abortion, embryonic stem cell research, cloning and other non negotiable moral issues. In the coming years do not succumb to fear! Do not be afraid to proclaim Christ crucified! Your life, your hope, your security, your future and your salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb (Rev 7:10). Never be afraid to speak the truth in love to those who promote what the Church calls the five non negotiable issues. That these options are always morally sinful is not the opinions of men. The Church proclaims what it has received from God. This is Divine revelation. This is not hate speech. No, this is love speech. The Church loves sinners. So, once again, DO NOT BE AFRAID! May you never hear these words from the mouth of the Master:
THROW THIS USELESS SERVANT INTO THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE . . .
Thank you for using your talents and being faithful as God is.