FROM THE PULPIT THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A REFLECTION BY Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
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FROM THE PULPITWhen God calls someone He gives him/her the ability to achieve the purpose for which God calls him/her. God furnishes you with all that is good; that you may do God’s will (Hebrews 13: 21).
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1Thessalonians 5: 1-6; Matthew 25: 14-30.
REFLECTION: PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
In today’s gospel, the owner of the possessions gave to each servant according to one’s capacity. The giver of all, God doesn’t deserve insults for demanding accounts as the parable tells of the servant who received one talent. Note that one talent is not a little sum of money; it equaled 20 years of daily wages or 6,000 denarii. Just imagine receiving some $348,000.00 to do business with and you hide it all in your house safe in order to return to the owner years later. God, creator and giver of all that we are and have, will demand accounts of our lives. Each and every one of us is richly endowed by God to do God’s will. The time between the departure and return of the owner to demand the accounts, is very determinative. This time means my lifespan and yours. While we await the second and final coming of the Lord Jesus, we have the opportune time to grow in faith, hope and love. We are called to do the works that are prompted by the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us.
The industrious servants who produced more talents are comparable to the worthy wife whose deeds are sung in the first reading (Prov.31:10). Both types of servants are highly rewarded. What happiness is there in receiving the reward? The good and faithful servants and the worthy wife are models of discipleship. A follower of Jesus Christ is a person that has been endowed with the gifts of faith, hope and love. From these gifts flows the good works that praise God. That means productivity and works of mercy.
Beloved, let us always keep in mind the context we are living in; the day of the Lord is near and will appear without any warning. Let us realize the gifts of the Spirit that we received, put them to work daily to the best credit of the giver and father of our savior Jesus Christ. Then, we will expect the reward that will fill us with the greatest joy and happiness.
