WHAT MATTERS IN THE END: 11/19/23 (Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"A man going on a journey

called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--

to each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,

and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground

and buried his master's money.

"After a long time

the master of those servants came back

and settled accounts with them.

The one who had received five talents came forward

bringing the additional five.

He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.

See, I have made five more.'

His master said to him, '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.'

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,

'Master, you gave me two talents.

See, I have made two more.'

His master said to him, '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.'

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,

'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,

harvesting where you did not plant

and gathering where you did not scatter;

so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.

Here it is back.'

His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!

So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant

and gather where I did not scatter?

Should you not then have put my money in the bank

so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

For to everyone who has,

more will be given and he will grow rich;

but from the one who has not,

even what he has will be taken away.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

REFLECTION:

The faithful servant does any duty assigned to him. The servants in the parable are us. Our lives are only borrowed from God. When we return to Him, we should have good deeds with us. It is the only thing that will bring us to eternal life, not money, possessions, fine clothes, honor, or fame that we could acquire on earth. All of these things are useless at the moment of our last breath. What is left of us? What will we present to the Lord when the time comes if we don't do the good and right according to His will?

Today's gospel is a reminder to us that at the end of our lives, it is important that we know our unique mission from God and that we use all our talents, abilities, material resources, intelligence, and everything we have for this mission. It is necessary for us to give to the best of our abilities. Let's not be selfish anymore because the truth is that everything we have comes from God. We only give back to Him what we share with others.

With the numerous distractions in the world, perhaps we forget that the meaning of life is not in the things that money can buy. It is in love, in things unseen. May we reflect on this now that we are nearing the end of the liturgical calendar of the Church. Give time to ponder deeply for whom and for what we live for. If we find ourselves falling short in offering ourselves to serve God and others, may we ask God to give us wisdom on how to do it according to His will, not ours. Blessed are those who follow God because their reward in Heaven is eternal and their joy is everlasting.

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth