THE WORD
2 Mac 7: 1.20–31 / Lk 19: 11–28 (or Acts 28: 11–16.30–31 / Mt 14: 22–33)
While they were listening to him speak, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ...
IN OTHER WORDS
Tombs are an important part of Catholic life. How else can we explain the crowded cemeteries on November 1 and 2 every year? Whenever I have my home leave in Ireland I will never fail to visit the graves of my parents to pray there. Another important agenda is to visit the cemetery of the Irish SVD, particularly to pray for those confreres who have passed away since my last visit. Why do we do this if we know that the remains of the deceased are dust and ashes by now? In addition, we know that we can and should pray for them at other times as well. Author Nil Guillamette (Stars Forever) points out that tombs or other places of repose are “the last physical link connecting us with our dead.” It is, therefore, but normal that we should renew these links whenever the opportunity arises.
This explains why the tombs of so many saints have always been places of pilgrimage and devotion. In a special way, the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul have been venerated almost since the beginning of Christianity as a historical religion. Two famous basilicas have been erected in Rome on what is believed to be their tombs. They are testimonies to the memory of these two great apostles. Today’s feast day is a common celebration of the dedication of these buildings. Let us remember, however, that the beauty of the structures is not what is most important. It will count for little if the buildings are mere museums. What is much more important is our commitment to the Lord whom these apostles proclaimed and witnessed to. Our Church must always be a living structure of committed faith whose cornerstone is Christ himself. And we must be the living stones of that building.
- John O’Mahony, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
