THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew
25:14-30)
The movie “Barbie” gained a lot of attention along with a
lot of money this summer. Surprisingly, the protagonist Barbie was not a
stereotypical young woman. She didn't just enjoy parties and seek passes from
guys. She developed from a doll in a fantasy world to a woman in a world of
both heartbreak and joy. Something similar takes place in the first reading of
the mass today.
The passage from the Book of Proverbs describes a worthy
wife. She is not trivialized by being portrayed as a shallow person of good
looks and secret charms. She is industrious, not playful; reliable, not
capricious; worthy, not vain. All in all, she is a person that all of us would
like to know. For this reason the
passage is matched with the gospel in which Jesus speaks of a significant feature
of his discipleship.
Jesus employs a parable to indicate the need for a disciple
to use his talents for the good of the Kingdom of God. The talents in the
parable are intended to mean more than coins. They are also personal capabilities.
We do not all have the same abilities, nor the same number of different
abilities. Some disciples are very talented like the servant who was given five
talents. Others do not have many talents like the servants who receive only one
or two coins. In each case the disciple has to put his talents to good use in
activities such as caring for the sick and comforting the distressed. He must
not let his talents lie idle through laziness or fear of losing them.
Two servants invest their talents wisely and realize
considerable gains. For their efforts they are well rewarded by their master
with access to eternal life. But the one who hid his talent for fear of losing
it is punished for his lack of initiative. He is cast into darkness, a symbol of
damnation. Jesus is telling us in clear terms that we are to exert efforts for
the good of others. We cannot think of ourselves as his true disciples if we
spend our lives unwilling to invest time and talent in the Lord’s service.
The second reading gives us another way in which people
waste their talent. Saint Paul urges us not to spend all our free time as if we
were sleeping. That is, we are not to spend our time outside of work just
watching TV, lying in the hammock, working out at the gym, or shopping.
Although these activities can be beneficial to a point, our lives have another,
greater purpose. As beings made in the image of God, it is our responsibility
to create a better world.
From the Sermon on the Mount until this last discourse in
the Gospel of Matthew Jesus has demanded a lot from his disciples. We must seek
peace between enemies and share our bread with those in need, always be willing
to forgive and never cause scandal. But he also assures us that we can go to
him for understanding and relief. As Lord of heaven and earth, he can provide
us not only temporary rest but eternal peace.
