All that we have and are belong to the Lord

Wis. 31:10-13.19-20.30-31, 1 Thess. 5:16, Mt. 25:14-30. On this Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Church invites us to make good use of our God given gift for the greater glory of His name. Being a believer is manifested in the way we care for other people and all of God’s creation, for all; even our skills and talents, are gifts from the Lord. Today’s first reading praises the activity of worthy wife and lists some of the qualities of a good wife. She cares for her husband and manages the house while the husband earns a living. The faithful wife knows that she is responsible for the good order of the household and still cares for the needy outside her home with the “fear of the Lord.” The quality of having a healthy “fear of the Lord” is also praised by the Psalmist.

In the second reading, Paul clears up the concept of the Lord’s final return. The Lord will return, but neither Paul nor anyone else knows when. In the meantime, we must live lives that reflect our preparedness for His return whenever it happens. In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares another parable which speaks of the need of His disciples to make good use of the time they have before the Master’s return. A talent is given to bear fruit, not to lie there unused. It may seem prudent not to risk, but in the end it is not what God expects of us. The first two servants worked according to their ability. The third servant did not, giving his master back the one talent he had been given, instead of the two talents he was capable of gaining. What held this servant back from working according to his ability was fear. “I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground.” Many of us may find ourselves having some sympathy for the third servant, because, deep down, we are only aware how fear can hold us back and prevent us from doing what we are well capable of doing. Fear can be a much more powerful force in the lives of some than others. There can be many reasons for this. Those who have experienced a lot of criticism growing up can be slow to take a risk and may develop a fearful approach to life. Today, we are called to realise the gifts given by God, not only for our benefit but also for the purpose of giving back to God that which is entrusted to us.

May God bless us all and empower us to live our lives in His path! Amen!! Have a glorious Sunday!!!