First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Reflection:
In this Sunday’s first reading we hear a portion of Proverbs 31, a famous chapter of the Bible about a virtuous wife. The passage speaks about the interior beauty of a woman who “fears the Lord.” What is fear of the Lord? It does not mean we are to be scared of God or have a sort of servile fear toward him, as if He is a cruel master. Rather, fear of the Lord means we have a reverence, awe, and obedience toward God, recognizing that He is God and we are not. Not only are wives called to have a healthy “fear of the Lord,” but so are all Christians. In fact, at the beginning of Proverbs we find the statement, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7). We also see in this passage other important qualities of a virtuous wife that apply to all of us. A virtuous, God-fearing person is diligent, working hard at the tasks he or she has been given. In other words, as we will see in the Gospel, that person is putting to good use the resources and responsibilities given to him or her by God. Furthermore, the virtuous person is giving, extending “hands to the poor, and … arms to the needy.” These virtues bear good fruit in our lives and the lives of others. Let us strive to live these virtues.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Reflection:
As we near the end of the liturgical year, before a new liturgical year begins in Advent, we hear about the end times and the return of Christ. Paul here writes of “the day of the Lord,” which refers specifically to the day of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. No one knows when Jesus will return. There have been people throughout Church history and even today who have claimed to predict the Second Coming, but they have all been wrong. We are not supposed to know. Paul says the day “will come like a thief at night.” That day will be disastrous for those who are not prepared, because Jesus will come as Judge. Those living in the darkness of sin will be judged according to their works. But Paul reassures Christians that we “are not in darkness.” As “children of the light and children of the day,” we will not be caught off guard. We are called to remain vigilant and be prepared. We are not to be caught sleeping spiritually when Christ returns. Rather, we should “stay alert and sober,” so that we will be ready to meet Him when He comes.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Reflection:
In this “Parable of the Talents,” the master represents God while the servants represent His people. Interestingly, it is from this parable that we get our English word “talents.” In the parable, talents are a form of money. In fact, they are coins that each represent a rather significant amount of money. The master entrusts his money to the care of his servants while away on a journey. He is expecting them to take good care of his money, not squandering and also not simply sitting on it. The first two servants, entrusted with the most money, invest it and double the money the master entrusted to them. But the third servant, out of an unhealthy fear of the master, did nothing with the money. He was lazy and buried it, not working to grow what was entrusted to him. As a result, the master punished him and gave his original talent to the one who had ten. This parable illustrates what we are to do with the “talents” God has given us. Everything we have has been given to us by God. We are His servants who are called to use what He has given to us for good. In essence, this parable is a call to faithful stewardship. God wants us to bear good fruit with the time, talent, and treasure he has entrusted to us. If we are faithful with the gifts we have been given and invest them so they grow, God will reward us.
Application:
- Reflect on the many gifts you have from God. What “talents” has He given you? How can you use those gifts to bring glory to God? As you go throughout this week, take note of the many blessings you have, thank God for them, and strive to offer them back to Him for His glory.
