Only the One Who Takes No Risk Is Condemned

11-19-2017Weekly ReflectionFather Barnabas Duniya

Proverbs gives us the example of a very industrious woman and also reminds us that so much ofwhat we think is important passes away with time. The reading uses the example of a woman, butit just as easily applies to men: Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears theLord is to be praised.

St. Paul tells us that the master will come unexpectedly; life is serious and we should not wastetime. We are all call to exercise a ministry within our community.

Matthew’s gospel tells us in three different ways that the Lord, who is the source of all gifts, will return to ask for an account. We should not neglect our gifts like the five foolish virgins of last Sunday; our gifts must be put to good use and finally, the needy must benefit from our gifts.

All the gifts of nature and grace which God has given us should yield a profit. It does not matterhow many gifts we have received; what matters is our generosity in putting them to good use. Youthink your life is for yourself? Your life is for God, for the good of all humanity, through your lovefor our Lord. Your buried talent, dig it up again!

Unlike the scribes and the Pharisees who show anathema to any attitude of change, development, alteration or anything new, for that matter. We must note that there can be no religion without adventure.

There are three lessons here:

  1. 1. What matters is not the talent we have, but how we use it.
  2. 2. The reward of work well done is still more work to do.
  3. 3. Those that are punished are those who will not try or risk their gifts for the common good of others.

The old saying tells us that there are two things we cannot escape in life: death and taxes. In fact,there is actually a way to escape taxes, but not death: by leaving this world and all its burdens behind.

The Church points our attention towards what our Faith calls the “Last Things”. There are four “Last Things”: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Therefore, we should be watchful at all time, because we never really know which day will be the last.

Our scripture readings challenge us as well as helping us consider how important our good worksare when it comes to the days or hours of our death.

BACK TO LIST