Mass Readings for 13.11.11
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
1Thess. 5:1-6
Mathew 25:14-30
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Jesus when he taught his disciples had the kingdom perspective and principles in mind ........not the earthly kingdom but that of his divine kingdom.
The initial deposit of faith that God gives to each one us is a free gift.This faith has to be exercised by trusting in God's providence and promises. It is known as a ' Working Belief ' in God's grace or 'talents'. This gift of faith is increased by God's grace when we utilise and exercise this gift according to his divine will.This gift is essentially meant to unite us closer and closer to God and to work for the expansion of His kingdom in this world.This is the responsibility that Jesus entrusts to his disciples and through them to us who are members of the universal church. At judgement time each one us is going to be evaluated as to how sincerely and faithfully we had carried out the specific tasks assigned to us.The tasks are many and varied and they are assigned to us depending upon the abilities given to us. When it comes to the nuts and bolts finally it is all about how much we loved God and how well we served our neighbor in their spiritual and worldly needs.Did we care for Christ present in our needy neighbors ? Did we feed, clothe, shelter, nurse and encourage them by going out to them trusting in the providence and strength God has given us ? Of course this involves risking our reputation, time, energy, financial and spiritual resources. Or did we wait till they approached us for help ? Or still worse, did we play it safe by ignoring their very existence just like the rich man who ignored the languishing lazar at the gate of his palace. Those who proactively engaged with the poor , dispossessed and the lonely are likened to the two servants entrusted with the the 5 and 2 talents. The servant with the one talent wasted it and he was punished. The more we spend ourselves for God's cause the more graces and gifts will be poured upon us. This is a spiritual principle. This is how St. Paul in the second reading tells the Thessalonicans they ought to live while waiting eagerly for Christ's Second Coming. Are we living with similar attitudes and expectations ? Let us ask God to increase our faith and enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to exercise this gift of faith the way God a hard task master expects from us.
God Bless.
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