Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 30, 2025 - Saturday in the 21th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Thess 4:9-11 and Matt 25:14-30]Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. [1 Thessalonians] "'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...." [Matthew]
One might justifiably think St. Paul's words and Jesus' parable were written more recently instead of 2000+ years ago, and that they were written in the USA! There is an emphasis on individual responsibility and productivity, two virtues highly prized in our cultural ethos! St. Paul, himself, was a tentmaker and engaged in that trade, when possible, wherever he went. Given the usual custom of the time, Jesus was probably a carpenter until he began his public ministry! There is a "work hard and be productive" sound to today's scriptures! But is it really about measurable productivity that is being emphasized today? It seems to me that responsibility and accountability are more important.
In the parable from the Gospel According to Matthew, the servants who showed initiative and made gains with the money ("talent" -a unit of monetary measure in the Bible) that they were given, were richly rewarded. The one who was paralyzed by fear and buried the money with no gain was rejected and punished.
We have all received the gift of human life and, in baptism, the gift of grace - the very life of God. These gifts are not to be hoarded but shared, "each according to our ability." If we are afraid of God because we fear punishment if we make the slightest mistake, we may very well fail to share the gifts we have received so that others may benefit. The parable of the talents is followed by the parable of the last judgment [Matt. 25:31-45], which gives us a good idea of what God expects us to do with our "talents." What will be our record of LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR? We all want to hear those words: "Well done, my good and faithful servant! Come, share your master's joy!" AMEN
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