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Reflections
for Sunday, November 13, 2011
This Sunday we are given three readings that don't fit together so very
well. Nevertheless, they are the readings given to us for this Sunday and
we shall look at each one separately and then see if we can relate them to
one another.
The first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, speaks about the worthy wife
and her value in the family and to her husband. There is no doubt in the
author's mind that a truly worthy wife is a gift beyond anything that a
man can imagine. We have to look at the culture that produced this reading
to understand that a man who had a wife who was a companion was considered
incredibly blessed. The description of this ideal wife is that she is
industrious on her own and brings wealth and well-being to the family. In
addition to material wealth, this ideal wife also takes care of the poor
and the needy in the area. She is a gift not only financially but, perhaps
more importantly, spiritually.
The second reading today comes from the First Letter to the Thessalonians.
Today's portion of this letter is speaking about the final times, the end
times, which everyone presumes will be coming soon. In order to prepare
for such times, the follower of Jesus must always be alert and sober.
These times can come at any time so we should always be ready for them.
The Gospel, from Matthew, is the Parable of the Talents. The Master gives
three different servants three different amounts of money to test them and
see if they can use them well. These might be materials talents, natural
human talents, or they might be spiritual talents and spiritual gifts. Two
of the servants use what is given them very well but the third servant
simply tries not to lose what he has been given. Jesus' teaching seems
clear: whatever gifts we have, material or spiritual, must be used for the
Kingdom of God. If we do not give ourselves to the Kingdom of God, we have
not heard the message of our Lord.
The one aspects that might tie all three readings together today is this:
we must all stay sober and alert in order to live a life that truly gives
glory to God and serves our neighbor. This is particularly true as we come
to the end times. In some sense, we are always in the end times and so
must always be prepared for the end. We are all called upon to live in
such a way that we bring credit, joy and delight to the communities to
which we belong. We are all given talents, whether material or spiritual,
and we must use them for the Kingdom.
May our Lord help us shine in the darkness, giving witness to the Light of
Christ and living a life of light.
Readings of the day:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
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Reflections are available for the following Sundays:
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