Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 430
Lectionary: 430
Brothers and sisters:
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more,
and to aspire to live a tranquil life,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands,
as we instructed you.
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more,
and to aspire to live a tranquil life,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands,
as we instructed you.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 98:1, 7-8, 9
R.(9) The
Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
AlleluiaJN 13:34
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 25:14-30
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"
Meditation:
"The master will settle his account with them"
What
can economics and productivity teach us about the kingdom of heaven? Jesus'
story about a businessman who leaves town and entrusts his money with his
workers made perfect sense to his audience. Wealthy merchants and businessmen
often had to travel abroad and leave the business to others to handle while
they were gone.
Why
did Jesus tell this story and what can it teach us? Most importantly it tells
us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants. The
parable speaks first of the Master's trust in his servants. While he goes away
he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no
strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers
would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them.
The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those
who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money.
The
essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of
responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up
to a certain point. The servant who buried the master's money was
irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become
productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural
laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master
expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.
God
rewards those who use their gifts for serving him and the good of others
What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have.
What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have.
There
is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the
Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance
towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents,
and graces he has given to you?
"Lord
Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and thoughts, be the king of my home and
relationships, and be the master of my work and service. Help me to make good
use of the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and
your kingdom."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Eternal Joys, by Gregory the
Great (540-604 AD)
"All
the good deeds of our present life, however many they may appear to be, are few
in comparison with our eternal recompense. The faithful servant is put in
charge of many things after overcoming all the troubles brought him by
perishable things. He glories in the eternal joys of his heavenly dwelling. He
is brought completely into the joy of his master when he is taken into his
eternal home and joined to the company of angels. His inner joy at his gift is
such that there is no longer any external perishable thing that can cause him
sorrow." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.2)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, MATTHEW 25:14-30
Weekday
(1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Psalm 98)
Weekday
(1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (v. 23).
TO KNOW: Jesus' parable of the talents was an allegory on good stewardship and the last judgment. In the story, each servant was given a different sum of money to invest. (A talent was a Greek coin worth about 6,000 denarri, equal to a year's wages. A talent's modern-day meaning of a special aptitude or gift is derived from the use of the word in this parable.) The first two servants made wise investments and doubled their money. The third servant, fearing his master's rebuke should he fail, buried the money for safe-keeping. When the master returned, each individual was asked to give an account of their investments. The wise servants were rewarded for their fidelity. They were given even greater responsibilities, and were invited to the heavenly banquet. The third servant was punished, losing the gift that had been given to them.
TO LOVE: In what ways do I use my time, treasure and talents for the kingdom of God?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to use your gifts for the good of all.
OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Saturday 31 August 2019
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11. Psalm 97(98):1, 7-9. Matthew 25:14‑30.
The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice – Psalm 97(98):1,
7-9.
‘You have been faithful in small things; enter into the joy of
your Master.’
In the parable of the talents, there is a sense of reward for
using our talents well and of consequences for wasting them. Beyond that is the
idea that God wants – even expects – us to take risks, to stretch beyond our
boundaries in using the talents we have. He expects those of us with much to
apply our skills creatively and wisely to improve our world. Another message we
receive is the generosity of God. Most of us are given more than we need.
Therefore we who are rich in human potential have plenty to share.
Let us take risks, and not be afraid to do things that may
appear foolish to others but leave us feeling consoled in the presence of God.
Creator God, send life to me this day, that I may discern how best to use the
talents you have given me. Give me wisdom and energy.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
Saint of the Day for August 31
(1st century)
 |
| Monastery Church: Altar of the crucifixion, Mecklenburg | Gaston Lenthe | (Longinus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus) |
Saint Joseph of Arimathea’s and Nicodemus’ Story
The actions of these two influential Jewish leaders give insight
into the charismatic power of Jesus and his teachings—and the risks that could
be involved in following him.
Joseph was a respected, wealthy civic leader who had become a
disciple of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus, Joseph obtained Jesus’ body
from Pilate, wrapped it in fine linen and buried it. For these reasons, Joseph
is considered the patron saint of funeral directors and pallbearers. More
important is the courage Joseph showed in asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. Jesus
was a condemned criminal who had been publicly executed. According to some
legends, Joseph was punished and imprisoned for such a bold act.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and, like Joseph, an important
first-century Jew. We know from John’s Gospel that Nicodemus went to Jesus at
night—secretly—to better understand his teachings about the kingdom. Later,
he spoke up for Jesus at the time of his arrest and assisted in Jesus’
burial. We know little else about Nicodemus.
Reflection
Celebrating these two contemporaries of Jesus who played
significant roles in Jesus’ life, reminds us of the humanity of Jesus and how
he related to his fellow men and women. His gentleness to these two and his
acceptance of their help remind us that he treats us in the same gentle way.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are the Patron Saints
of:
Funeral Directors
Pallbearers
Pallbearers
Lectio Divina: Matthew 25:14-30
Lectio Divina
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what You promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
help us to seek the values
that will bring us enduring joy in this changing world.
In our desire for what You promise
make us one in mind and heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a
journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he
gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his
ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went
and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two
made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the
ground and buried his master's money. After a long time the master of those
servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received
five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you
gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him,
'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small
matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's
joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said
to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in
small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your
master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and
said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not
plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and
buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in
reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not
plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money
in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now
then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone
who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has
not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into
the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"
3) Reflection
•Today’s Gospel presents to us the parable of the talents. This
parable was between two other parables: the parable of the ten virgins (Mt
25:1-13) and the parable of the final judgment (Mt 25:31-46).These three
parables clarify and orientate people concerning the coming of the Kingdom. The
parable of the ten virgins insists on vigilance: the Kingdom may arrive at any
moment. The parable of the final judgment says that in order to possess the
Kingdom it is necessary to accept the little ones. The parable of the talents
directs us on what to do to make the Kingdom grow. It speaks of the gifts and
the charisms which people receive from God. Every person has qualities, knows
something that he/she can teach others. Nobody is just a pupil; nobody is just
a teacher. We all learn from one another.
A key to understanding the parable: one of the things which has
greater influence on the life of the people is the idea which we have of God.
Among the Jews who followed the Pharisees, some imagined that God was a severe
judge, who treated people according to the merit they had gained through the
observance of the Law. That produced fear in the people and prevented them from
growing. It especially prevented them from opening a space within them, to
receive and accept the new experience of God which Jesus communicated. In order
to help these people, Matthew tells the story of the talents.
• Matthew 25:14-15: The door of entrance in the
parable. Jesus tells the story of a man who, before going abroad,
entrusted his goods to his servants, giving them five, two and one talent,
according to the capacity of each one. One talent was equal to 34 kg. of gold,
which is not something small! Basically, each one receives the same amount,
because he receives “according to his capacity.” Anyone who has a big
cup, receives a full cup. The man went on his journey abroad, where he remained
for a long time. The story produces a certain moment of suspense. One does not
know for what purpose the man entrusts his money to the servants; neither does
one know the end.
• Matthew 25:16-18: The way of acting of each one of the
servants. The first two servants worked and made the money produce a
double amount. But the one who received one talent buried it so as not to lose
it. It is a question of the goods of the Kingdom, which are given to people and
to the communities according to their capacity. Everyone receives some good of
the Kingdom, but not all respond in the same way!
• Matthew 25:19-23: Rendering an account of the first and
the second servants, and response of the master. After a long time, the
man returned. The first two servants say the same thing: “Sir, you entrusted me
with five/two talents, here are five/two more that I have made.” And the
master gives the same response: “Well done, good and trustworthy servant, you
have shown you are trustworthy in small things, I will trust you with greater;
come and join in your master’s happiness.”
• Matthew 25:24-25: Rendering of account of the third servant. The third servant comes and says, “Sir, I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered, so I was afraid and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is!” In this phrase we have a mistaken idea of God, which is criticized by Jesus. The servant considers God as a severe master. Before such a God, the human being is afraid and hides behind the exact and narrow-minded observance of the Law. The person thinks that acting in this way, the severity of the legislator will not punish him. In reality, such a person has a flawed view of God, and believes only in self and in the observance of the Law. This person closes up in self, separates herself from God and cannot be concerned about others. This person becomes incapable of growing and developing as a free person. This false image of God isolates the human being, kills the community, puts an end to joy and impoverishes life.
• Matthew 25:24-25: Rendering of account of the third servant. The third servant comes and says, “Sir, I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered, so I was afraid and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is!” In this phrase we have a mistaken idea of God, which is criticized by Jesus. The servant considers God as a severe master. Before such a God, the human being is afraid and hides behind the exact and narrow-minded observance of the Law. The person thinks that acting in this way, the severity of the legislator will not punish him. In reality, such a person has a flawed view of God, and believes only in self and in the observance of the Law. This person closes up in self, separates herself from God and cannot be concerned about others. This person becomes incapable of growing and developing as a free person. This false image of God isolates the human being, kills the community, puts an end to joy and impoverishes life.
• Matthew 25:26-27: The response of the Master to the third
servant. The response of the master is ironic. He says, “Wicked and lazy
servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have
not scattered; you should have deposited my money with the bankers and on my return
I would have got my money back with interest!” The third servant was not
consistent with the severe image which he had of God. If he imagined that God
was severe, he should have, at least, placed the money in the bank. Then, he is
condemned not by God but by the mistaken idea that he had of God and which
makes him more immature and fearful than what he should have been. It was not
possible for him to be consistent with the erroneous image which he had of God,
because fear dehumanized and paralyzed life.
• Matthew 25:28-30: The last word of the Lord, which
clarifies the parable. The master orders that the talent be taken from him
and given to the man who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has
will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but anyone who has not,
will be deprived even of what he has.” This is the key which clarifies
everything. In reality, the talents, the “money of the master,” the goods of
the Kingdom, are love, service, sharing. It is everything which helps the
community to grow and reveals the presence of God. Anyone who closes himself in
self out of fear of losing the little that he has, at the end will lose even
the little that he has. But the person who does not think of self, and gives
herself to others, grows and receives in turn, in an unexpected way, everything
which she has given and even more. Anyone who loses his life will find it, and
anyone who has the courage to lose his life will find it.”
• The different money of the Kingdom. There is no
difference between those who have received more and those who have received
less. All have their gift according to their capacity. What is important is
that this gift be placed at the service of the Kingdom and make the goods of
the Kingdom grow. These gifts are love, fraternal spirit, sharing. The
principal key of the parable does not consist in making the talents render
something, but rather in relating to God in a correct way. The two first
servants ask for nothing; they do not seek their own good; they do not want
things for themselves; they do not close up in self; they do not calculate. In
the most natural way, almost without being aware and without seeking their own
merit, they begin to work, in such a way that the gift received from God may
produce for God and for the Kingdom. The third servant is afraid, and because
of this does nothing. According to the norms of the ancient law, he acts
correctly. He fulfills the requirements. He loses nothing and gains nothing.
And because of this he loses even what he had. The Kingdom is a risk. Anyone
who does not want to run risks will lose the Kingdom!
4) Personal questions
• In our community, do we try to know and value the gifts of
each person? Is our community a place where people are able to make known their
talents and make them available to others? Sometimes, the gifts of some
generate envy and competitiveness in others. How do we react?
• How is the following statement to be understood: “For anyone who has will be given more; but anyone who does not have will be taken away even what he has”?
• How is the following statement to be understood: “For anyone who has will be given more; but anyone who does not have will be taken away even what he has”?
5) Concluding Prayer
We are waiting for Yahweh;
He is our help and our shield,
for in Him our heart rejoices,
in His holy name we trust. (Ps 33:20-21)
He is our help and our shield,
for in Him our heart rejoices,
in His holy name we trust. (Ps 33:20-21)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét