33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God.
1st Reading: Rev 4:1-11*
After this, I looked up to the wall of the sky and saw an open door. The voice which I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here and I will show you what will come in the future.” (…) There, in heaven, was a throne, and one sitting on it. (…) In a circle around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on these are twenty-four elders dressed in white clothes with golden crowns on their heads. (…) Around and beside the throne stand four living creatures, (…) The first living creature is like a lion, the second, like a bull; the third has the face of a man, and the fourth looks like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures has six wings, full of eyes, all around as well as within; day and night they sing without ceasing, (…) Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to the one on the throne, (…) the twenty-four elders fall down before him, and worship the one who lives forever and ever. (…)
Gospel: Lk 19:11-28*
(…) Jesus went on to tell them a parable. He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country in order to be crowned king, after which he planned to return home. Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds of silver. He said, ‘Put this money to work until I get back.’ But his compatriots, who disliked him, sent a delegation after him with this message, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
He returned, however, appointed as king. At once he sent for the servants, to whom he had given the money, (…) The first came in and reported, ‘Sir, your pound of silver has earned ten more pounds of silver.’ (…) The second reported, ‘Sir, your pound of silver earned five more pounds of silver.’ (…) The third came in, and said, ‘Sir, here is your money, which I hid for safekeeping. I was afraid of you, for you are an exacting person (…)
The master replied, ‘You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words! (…) Then the master said to those standing by, ‘Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.’ (…) ‘I tell you, everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (…)
Reflections
The context of the whole parable is emphasized by the last sentence of today’s reading: “Having spoken thus Jesus went ahead with his ascent to Jerusalem.” Jesus’ journey ends in Jerusalem where he faces the test of his mission. Jerusalem meant rejection, suffering, and death. It also means standing for the truth of God’s way. The parable points to all those who are being called by Christ. In the gospel, we are asked to reflect on the special gifts that God has given to each one of us and how we are using them for the benefit of brothers and sisters in need. What are our attitudes to money, to property, to professional status, academic or other qualifications or other gifts with which we are endowed? Where do we invest our gifts, our talents that each of us has received? The message is clear: the more we make the best of our gifts and talents, the more we become fruitful in living out the imperatives of stewardship. We cannot stand still or just cling to what we have. The only way to gain is to generate life and love. Good examples of this would be St Francis of Assisi or Mother Teresa. When the general and dominant value consists in buying and amassing more possessions, the Gospel is really the only way that makes sense. It is not in having more but sharing who we are and what we have that generate wealth, the wealth that really matters – love, mercy, inner joy and peace.
Daily Reflection 2018
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