Today’s 1st reading reminded me of a woman I met a couple of years ago. She is beautiful, charming, very helpful and gracious to me. Looking back at all the things that happened at that time makes me realize that what I experienced with her is one of the most unforgettable I’ve had in my entire life. Although it is not all very pleasant but the things I’ve learned from it hold a valuable lesson about life and most especially of God who looks after our welfare. Amen. Hallelujah!
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
...30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; ...
There is only one thing needed and that is to follow the ways of the Lord. Whenever we come to a point in our lives when we encounter trials and difficulties and standing up firm in our faith in God seems to be an impossibility then all the more should we remain faithful and true to God. The psalm reading tells us exactly why. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
...who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; happy shall you be, and favored.
Today’s 2nd reading sounded like a threat but it is not. In fact it is just an assurance from the Lord that no disaster and calamity is greater than Him. Those people who have been to such situations are the ones who could say “been there and done that” without budging. This is so, because of the truth that if we remain in faith and do not faint nor falter then we will surely be at peace. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
... When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster
comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.
In today's parable we learn that a man went 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. 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 and the one who had received two talents also came forward and did the same. They both doubled their talents but the one who received one talent, he just buried it in the ground and gave it back. The master's reaction to the first 2 servants who doubled their talents were expected because he was glad that they were faithful in small matters so he told them that he will entrust them with great responsibilities and invited them to share in his joy. But to the 3rd servant his reaction was quite unexpected because he was addressed with very harsh words such as wicked and lazy which are seldom used in the New Testament. He was called wicked because he did nothing. If we can still recall, Jesus told us the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man went to hell not because he did something wrong but because he did nothing to help Lazarus who is right outside his door. Doing nothing is wicked. We can lose so much to the point where we deserve hell. We all have responsibilities in our hands and we have to fulfill them by trusting that God is with us. Hey, we've got talent thus we can do all things through Him. We are all called to make use of whatever we have, no matter how small it may be and insignificant it may seem to others to keep up a good fight. The servant who only has 1 talent decided to play safe but he ended up in a much worse condition. When we are confronted with trials and difficulties in life we tend to look for solutions that are safe and within our limited capacities. We sometimes fail to acknowledge and realize that we can decide for the ultimate good and the best. Our God is more of an "all or nothing" and "win or lose" God who will not settle for anything less but will always settle for the best. We should always give it our best shot and not be a coward for we have an Almighty God backing us up. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 25:14-30
...‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 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. 30
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