In following Jesus, we are called to share all our blessings

33rd Sunday of the Year (A)   

On this next to last Sunday of the church year, our first reading comes from the Old Testament Book of Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs attempts to capture the essence of practical wisdom which illumines the experience of everyday living. It portrays the particular genius of a life lived amid the wonder and awe of God’s presence.

This Sunday’s selection from Proverbs speaks of the supreme value of a good wife. It becomes even more touching when we realize that the whole book is really cast as advice from parents to a young man who is about to enter the adult world; the highest hopes of his parents are summed up in his finding a virtuous wife for “her love will invigorate you always, through her love you will flourish continually” (Proverbs 5:19). The author speaks of such a wife as having “a value far beyond pearls,” and as “an unfailing prize” (Proverbs 31:10,11). The reading goes on to mention the blessings she brings to her home, the skill and devotion of her efforts on behalf of her family, and her religious zeal (“the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” Proverbs 31:30). Among certain groups of pious Jews, husbands still recite this poem at each Sabbath as an act of praise and thanksgiving for such a spouse. Using this example of the good wife, the Book of Proverbs sheds light on the blessedness that accrues to one who so diligently places her life and talents in the service of God and others.

Our Gospel reading from St. Matthew makes much the same point, i.e., that the life and talents God gives us are to be fully utilized in our efforts to proclaim the coming fullness of his Kingdom. This Sunday’s Gospel text is the familiar story of the distribution of talents. The Master, intending to embark upon a long journey, decides to entrust his wealth to three of his servants; to each he confides a different amount of treasure.

When the Master returned after his long absence, he called in his servants to settle accounts. He rejoiced when the first servant made his report announcing that he had doubled the treasure entrusted to him; this faithful servant was assigned even more responsible duties and admitted into his Master’s celebration. Similarly, the Master was delighted to hear of the second servant’s doubling of his talents. Notice that the Master does not distinguish between these two servants based upon the amount of money each made; rather, what pleased him was the fact that each had made the most of what he had been given.

The mood changes, however, when the last servant is called into his Master’s presence. Admitting that he knew his Master was demanding, this servant explained that he was afraid to do anything with the talent entrusted to him. He buried it in a field and was now returning it; it was intact, but sadly unused. Now this servant certainly committed no crime – he did not steal his Master’s money nor did he lose any of it. He was harshly treated, however, because he did not make fruitful use of the opportunity he had been given. Entrusted with a portion of the Master’s wealth, this servant simply abandoned his chance to increase the Master’s estate.

This Gospel selection serves as a powerful reminder in these end times of our Church year. Like the servants in this reading, we are all entrusted with a certain number of talents by the Lord. Our mission, as disciples of Jesus, is to use these talents to the utmost to further the coming of God’s Kingdom, until Jesus himself returns at the end of time. The message is that we cannot hide our faith; it is not meant to be stashed safely away and hidden from view; it is not meant to enrich only our own life. This Gospel challenges us to boldly proclaim our faith in words and deeds, to use every ability we have received to further the cause of the Gospel.

Following Jesus is always a matter of opening our hearts and putting forth some effort. We are endowed with our faith and many other blessings besides; our responsibility is not simply to horde them, but rather to use them to build up God’s Kingdom as best we can. It is those who so use their talents, like the wonderful wife of Proverbs, who are promised to hear the Lord’s call: “Well done, my good and faithful servant … come, share your Master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel.