Jesus said to those standing by, “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

The poor servant in today’s gospel passage! He buried his master’s money for fear it would be somehow lost or stolen, and instead of being thought prudent, he is roundly condemned. This hits squarely at the heart of our discipleship. Are we to be commended for not sinning? Or does God expect far more from us, given the gifts we have received from him?

According to the gospel context, however, Jesus spoke this parable to those who thought that, because he was approaching Jerusalem, the kingdom of God would soon be revealed there. To correct that impression, Jesus speaks a parable which suggests there will be an interval of time before the full coming of the kingdom of God. During that interval, the Lord wants us to make creative use of the resources and gifts He has given us. He doesn’t want us to do nothing, out of fear, which was the case with the third servant in the parable. Fear can be very immobilizing: the fear of failure, the fear of getting it wrong, the fear of being misunderstood.

Each Mass should remind us of that. Mass ends by giving each of us a challenge. We are told to go forth and give God glory with our lives. It doesn’t ask us to go forth and observe the commandments. It tells us to go forth and spread the good news, help build the kingdom, and act positively to build a world of justice and peace.

Am I afraid (or too lazy) to live my faith and love of Jesus actively? Do I look for ways each day to live positively as Jesus would?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, you have enriched me by making me your child through adoption. May I constantly seek ways to utilize these gifts wisely and well to build your kingdom.