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Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31
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This Sunday’s Reflection

by Fr. John Thornhill, sm

Come and join in your master’s happiness

The parable in today’s gospel reading is so well known, that the word, ‘talent’, has become part of our language. The original story of Jesus, however, had a far more serious message than the development of natural gifts.

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FEATUREDLIFE ISSUESRECENT POSTSWHO'S WHO

Dante described the centre of hell as ice, writes Father Hawkswell, which is consistent with Christ’s description of hell, “for cold iron can actually burn.”

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33A Ordinary Time

Whether fire or ice, hell warrants fear of the Lord

Father Vincent Hawkswell – B.C. CATHOLIC

As the liturgical year approaches its end, the Church reminds us of judgment: our own “particular” judgment and the final judgment of the whole world. In our particular judgment, at the moment of death, God will grant us either entrance into heaven (immediately or after purification) or immediate and everlasting damnation. In the last judgment, after the resurrection of the dead, God will lay bare “the truth of each man’s relationship” with him, says the Catechism of the Catholic Church…(2020)

Investing wisely

Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino – DIOCESE OF ST. PETERSBURG

Just as last Sunday’s Gospel was really not about bridesmaids but about the proper use of time to prepare for the Lord, this Sunday’s Gospel is really not about investing money but is also about preparing for the Lord to come, this time, to seek a reckoning…What do we do with the Grace we have received? That is the question that the Gospel demands we consider. That is the question that we will have to answer when we come before the Lord at the end of time or at the end of our own personal time. How well have we lived our faith? (2020)

Seeing the “Woman of Power”

Jamie Waters – AMERICA MAGAZINE

Some interpretations downplay her power, understanding support of her husband as a sign of subordination. A misogynistic reading interprets the “woman’s work” as relegating women to only home affairs or to a lesser status. This is incorrect. In fact, the woman of power supports herself, her family and her community. She is trusted for her good judgment and is a gifted teacher, a helper to people in need and successful in business, as she “enjoys the profits from her dealings” (Prv 31:18). She works tirelessly, and her family praises her for it. She fears the Lord, a sign of devotion and recognition of God’s power. (2020)

Accepting the consequences

Fr. George Smiga – BUILDING ON THE WORD

There might be a kid at school who others bully. There is a great deal of social pressure on us to join in. This parable says we should not, even if we know that we may be belittled for taking that stand. There might be someone at work who our boss consistently demeans. It is easy to look the other way. But this parable tells us that we should speak up to our boss, even though we risk having our boss turn against us. There might be legislation in our country that ignores the needs of the poorest among us and caters only to those who already have more than enough to survive. We may believe such an approach is wrong, but we say, “What is the use of opposing it? This parable asks us to work against the legislation, even if we cannot stop it and others will consider us foolish for trying. (2017)

MORE HOMILIES BY FR. SMIGA: The fear of change (2002), Take it in. Spread it around. (2005), The value of small gifts (2008), Conquering fear (2011), Paying attention (2014)

Recognizing our gifts

Fr. Austin Fleming – A CONCORD PASTOR COMMENTS

In choosing today’s scriptures, the church pairs the woman in Proverbs with the three servants in the gospel… But what we need to see in this woman is not her success or how many talents she has – that’s not the point. The point is simply that she used what she had and she used what she had well -and she used it for others. So, I need to ask myself, you need to ask yourselves, “What do I have to work with?” Am I working with everything I have? And, for whom am I offering my gifts?” These scriptures are about so much more than fiscal or personal success. They’re about the fruitful harvest of the gifts I have to offer – not for financial gain or personal acclaim – but for the glory of God and the needs and service of others. (2017)

Stewardship

Father John Kavanaugh, SJ – SUNDAY WEB SITE

While the parable of the wise and foolish virgins shows that “good intentions are not enough,” and the last judgment story reminds us to care for the poor and needy, this parable of the talents describes the “terrible punishments which lie in store for those who do not produce new wealth from the talents God has placed in their stewardship.” The parable of talents, we are told, helps us understand the “moral élan” of the U.S. economy. (1997)

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33A Ordinary Time

Lifeissues.net website publishes articles directly related to issues raised in Evangelium Vitae, and related homilies by Fr. Al Cariño, O.M.I., Fr. Tony Pueyo, and others.

Misuse God’s gifts at your own risk!

Al Carino

If there is one lesson that the Parable of the Talents teaches us, it is this: We have to use our talents to make the world a better place to live in. How? By carrying out in our lives and proclaiming with our lips the values of God’s Kingdom.

Accounting Time

Antonio P. Pueyo

The affairs of the Kingdom are more important than one’s comfort. A faithful disciple and steward gets involved in God’s affairs. This entails inconveniences and risk-taking.

Nature and Nurture

Antonio P. Pueyo

What we are is a product of both nature and nurture. We have been born with some physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual endowments. We were nurtured and were influenced by certain cultural environments. Yet, ultimately we are responsible for ourselves and we are accountable for what we become. We do not blame our genes, nor our parents, our teachers, or environment.

Love and Fear

Jeremiah R. Grosse

The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps us to live in the peace of God by restoring the relationship between each other and the Church which had been destroyed by our sinful and selfish acts. We need not live in fear that we must live our lives trapped in our sinfulness since we are able to confess to sins and receive absolution and the peace which allows to begin again.