33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Risk-Takers for Christ

Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111917.cfm

Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Psalm 128: 1-5

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6

Matthew 25:14-30

As human beings, our natural response to our existence involves the question, "What am I here for?" As Catholics, the answer is simple; we live for Christ. Straightforward as it seems, this answer is rather vague.....what exactly does it mean to live for Christ?

In today's gospel from the book of Matthew, Jesus relays a parable of the servants, stewards who, blessed with talents from their master, are expected to make interest on their blessings. In the end, one of the servants hides his talent out of fear, and is later scorned by his master. The other two servants, however, are profitable in their works, and are rewarded greatly by God, the master.

Our Lord blesses us in true abundance, instilling in each and every one of us a set of skills, talents, and capabilities. How good He is! It is this goodness from God that thus prompts us as his loving servants to produce more fruit, to make interest and profit from his gifts. Think of your own talents: maybe it's music, or writing, or teaching, or another unique skill......how can you use those gifts as tools for God's work in the world?

Regardless of the talents we possess, action must be sought for the praise of God. As my parish pastor expressed this morning, "doing nothing is not an option." Simply think of all that God has done for you.....even in the driest of times, in the most desolate deserts of our lives, God gives us His love and Spirit. How indebted we must be to our Lord!

Even in sight of this task given to us by God, we may at times feel unworthy to accept these talents. Moreover, we may even be experiencing fear of sharing that gift with others, as well as fear of vulnerability. Yet Scripture from our second reading in Thessalonians gives us hope, ensuring that "we are not of the night or of darkness" (1 Thessalonians 5:5) but of God, and therefore, of Light.

Though men and women alike are called to God's work in every facet of our lives, the work of women is especially exemplified in the first reading from Proverbs. God in His goodness offers a beautiful example of holy femininity through his description of the ideal woman and wife. A holy woman of God has "value far beyond that of pearls [....] She brings [her husband] good, and not evil, all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31: 10, 12). Not only is she a presence of joy in her home, but in her outreach of love to the "poor" and the "needy" as she extends her aura of gentleness to the outside community (20). In relationship with God, the woman "who fears the Lord is to be praised [...] let her works praise her at the city gates" (30-31) Truly, Proverbs illustrates the Church's exaltation of the unique role of women in the Catholic community, and calls all women to be holy like our beautiful mother, Mary!

The culminating challenge, then, is to praise God boldly through the outpouring of His gifts and grace. In a dark and immoral world, this challenge involves risks, especially in sight of those who may scoff at our devotion or alienate us disrespectfully. But let us not falter in fear; prayer is power, grace is our strength, and God is rewarding. Do not cower, but seek out risky opportunities and be the bold one in all corners of your life!