Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[2 Maccabees 6:18-31 and Luke 19:1-10]I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
The tragic figure in the parable of the coins (pounds, talents) is the third servant who was fearful. Instead of showing initiative and taking a risk, he buried the coin. In the end he learned that the Master expected much more. In times of trouble and fear, it is difficult to take risks. We hold on tightly to what we have. In the case of the community to which Luke was speaking, the gold coins represent the faith. It would not be enough simply to preserve and protect the faith. The faith had to be shared and spread. One can only wonder what our church would be like now if Paul and Peter had not chosen to preach to non-Jewish people. We are "stewards" of Jesus' message of the kingdom. If we "privatize" our Christian commitment and keep it to ourselves, we are doing the opposite of what Jesus came to do and our accounting for our stewardship will be severe as the parable shows. The modern expression: "Use it or lose it!" comes to mind. Fear of what others will think can be our greatest enemy. Keeping the faith means sharing it! AMEN
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