XXXIII Sunday in OT:[A]:Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31;I Thes5:1-6;Mt 25:14-30

XXXIII Sunday in OT:[A]:Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31;I Thes5:1-6;Mt 25:14-30

Introduction: The gospel parable focuses more sharply on the Christian attitude towards earthly life as we live in expectation of the Master’s return. The implicit responsibility of each servant is to work and to multiply the talents entrusted to him. It is not enough just to preserve what one has been given. The Master expects the results from the person who has been given special talents.

Exegesis: The first reading suggests that we should be as diligent and industrious as a loyal and faithful wife in the use of our God-given gifts and talents with “the fear of the Lord.” Unlike the one-talent man, she takes her gifts and “brings forth good, not evil”; she “reaches her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.” In today’s Responsorial Psalm, Ps. 128, the Psalmist echoes the concept of the blessedness of the faithful servant of the Lord. The Psalm affirms that the fear of the Lord is the key to human happiness and success. In the second reading, St.Paul advises us to keep awake and be sober, encouraging and building each other up as we wait for the “Day of the Lord.” He challenges the Thessalonians to turn fear of the Lord into positive, constructive and life-affirming action.

Today's Gospel passage, 'The Parable of the Talents', is the middle one of three parables on the coming judgment that Matthew has linked together at the conclusion of his Eschatological Discourse. The first parable is that of the ten virgins; five foolish and five wise waiting for the bridegroom. The third is the familiar parable of the sheep and the goats; the judgment at the end of time 'when the Son of man comes in his glory'. Jesus gives his disciples and the Pharisees this parable to illustrate and emphasize the teaching of the Kingdom of Heaven and how everyone will be judged according the use he makes of the gifts God given.

We share in His Glory only to the extent that we have allowed Him to be seen in our efforts. Nothing that we do should be about us. All our gifts should be seen as just that, gifts from God. This is a message we need to convey to our children and Teens. The Lord tells us in the parable that the Master will come for an accounting of how we used the particular talents He has given each of us. The first two servants in the parable returned more than they received, allowing the Master's possessions to grow. God is calling us to develop what we are given to allow His Kingdom to grow.

There may be other people more talented or gifted than me.  Consider them. Include them in our effort of improvement. Thinking like there is no other gifted like me. So everybody should appreciate me and me only.  Or thinking like after my completion of duties there should be no one like me doing things better than me.  So close the scene and personalize the work by self. Close the opportunity for continuity of work. These are not Christian. These are not becoming Christ. Have a broad mind to include God and everybody in our life activities.

Joke: How to stay safe without taking risk? 1.  Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. 2.  Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. 3.  Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. 4.  Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents     involve these forms of transportation. 5.  Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals.  So, above     all else, avoid hospitals.     BUT, you will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders.  Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at Church!  And, Bible study is safe too.  The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even smaller.  So for SAFETY'S sake: Attend Church, and read your Bible.  IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Practical Applications:  We need to trust God enough to make use of the gifts and abilities we have been given.   We may be especially talented in teaching children or cooking meals or repairing homes or programming computers.  During this Mass then, let us ask ourselves how we are using our particular gifts and talents in a creative way in the service of our Christian community and the wider society to advance the interest of God's Kingdom. Essentially this means the works of love, as the scene of the final judgment upon Christ's return makes it clear. Let us be prepared for 'the Day of Judgment' when Christ the Lord takes account of the talents we have been so generously blessed with, and eagerly look forward to hear him say to us, “Come, share your master's joy.”

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Introduction

Message: They are happy who fear the lord, who use their gifts and talents in the service of one another, especially the poor and the needy.  They shall be known as children of the light and will be ready for the Lord’s return.

Saints and Events in this week: 17 – Seventeenth – Monday: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious; 18 – Eighteenth – Tuesday: The Dedication of the Basilicas of saints Peter and Paul, apostles; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin; 22 – Twenty Second – Saturday: Saint Cecilia, virgin, martyr;