Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Reflecting on Matthew 25:14-30
Boy, it’s hard to hear the Gospel today and not applaud the third slave who was savvy enough to bury his one talent so at least he had that to give back to his master. With pensions gone and 401Ks vanished and wise investments brought to ruin, who doesn’t wish they had buried their money in a field somewhere, ready to be dug up when times get tougher?
Parable of the talents (John Morgan, 1823-1886)
But I also root for the third slave because I think he suffers from a deep insecurity, or maybe an anxiety disorder, that keeps him from putting himself out there and taking a risk. How many people do you know—or maybe it’s you—who are paralyzed in some place in their lives? For so many people the daily struggle to just make eye contact, say hello, and make their way in our extroverted society is a challenge that leaves them exhausted by day’s end.
Or recall Vincent, whose immense brilliance compelled him to capture beauty in its thousands of manifestations on his canvasses. But tortured by anxiety and self-doubt, he finally yielded to that starry night where his art could torture him no more.
It’s risky and painful to put yourself out there, but in the most important race of all it’s crucial that you show up. Today Jesus is urging us to take every risk, use every single opportunity to secure the Kingdom of Heaven. Love, and more love will be given you. Have faith, and more faith will take root in you. Be rich in hope, and more hope will abound. That’s the simple Math of the Kingdom of God.
In what ways does your daily investment in love pay great dividends?
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I have come to light a fire on the earth; how I wish it were already burning (Lk.12:49).