Solemnity of Christ the King - A (November 26, 2017)

Matthew 25: 31-46

The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Serving the Son of Man

In the Gospel According to Matthew, today’s parable of “the judgment of the nations” follows immediately “the parable of the talents” that we listened to a week ago.

In that context, one possible interpretation of today’s parable is that caring for others is a way of investing and making profit of what has been given to us. 

Sometimes, we may feel and use the excuse that the needs of the world or of others are so great, and we do not know if we can make a difference.  Remember, the servants were expected to simply work with what they have been given.

And taken the two parables together, it is quite clear that we meet and serve the one who has entrusted his possessions to us (first parable) and “the Son of Man” (second parable) in the least among us. 

May we learn how to share with others what has been generously given to us.

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33rd Sunday - A (November 19, 2017)

Matthew 25: 14-30

God’s Generosity and Trust

For the third servant, the master is unreasonable.

The servant fails to appreciate the generosity and the trust his master has in him.  Giving this third servant one talent is no small thing.   It might be worth at least a million dollars.

Moreover, the master knows what his servants are capable of because he “entrusted his possessions to them – to each according to his ability.” 

The master knows his servants, their abilities, and he trusts them.

Yet, the third servant considers him “unreasonable.”

Do I trust that God knows me, after all, it was God who “You formed my inmost being;

you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139: 13).

And God trusts me with God’s divine life in Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for the courage, wisdom, trust, and generosity to share this incredible gift of God’s generosity.  

 Image source:  www.agnusday.org

 

32nd Sunday - A (November 12, 2017)

Matthew 25: 1-13

Commentary

Five Are Foolish, Five Are Wise

A few weeks ago, we listened to another wedding parable, with a king inviting guests to his son’s wedding (Matthew 22: 1-10).  In that parable, the invited guests refused to come.  The king then sent his servants out to “invite to the feast whomever [they] find.  The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike.”

In today’s parable, both the wise and the foolish virgins are included in the wedding. 

God does not discriminate in his invitation.

It is up to us to respond.  

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31st Sunday - A (November 5, 2017)

Matthew 23: 1-12

Giving Oneself In Service

Today, we hear St. Paul expresses his love for the Christian community of Thessalonica, “We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.  With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.”

Paul learned that from Jesus, who practiced what he preached and was the servant of those he loved.

As we celebrate and receive Jesus, who continues to give himself to us in his life-giving words and his Body and Blood, may we learn to give “our very selves” in loving service of our brothers and sisters.