Reading 1 Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
When one finds a worthy wife,
her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,
has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil,
all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax
and works with loving hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor,
and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Reading 2 1 Thes 5:1-6
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come
like a thief at night.
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.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
Gospel Mt 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.'"
Or Mt 25:14-15, 19-21
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.
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.'"
Meditation: Matthew 25:14-30
“Come, share your master’s joy.” (Matthew 25:21)
Quick! Ask yourself: “As I read this parable, did I identify more with the third servant in this parable than with the first two?” If you did, you’re not alone. How quick we are to fear that we may lose the little bit we think we have! We may even think that the outcome of this parable is unfair. Why should those who already have so much receive even more?
But this isn’t a parable about fairness. It’s about Jesus’ ability to empower us to bear fruit for the gospel — fruit that surpasses what we would naturally expect.
Think of the potential damage that just one person can do to the devil’s plans. Consider a mother who teaches her children about the ways of the Lord. Think of how she models patience, justice, and kindness to them. Think of the way she helps them to pray and teaches them to treat each other with love and consideration. Day after day, week after week, she is bringing about the kingdom of God in these children’s lives. And not just in their lives but in the lives of their own future children. Her influence, in fact, has the potential to reach generations!
Or consider the young person who witnesses to his faith in Jesus at school. Think of the number of students he can stimulate to expect that God will work in their lives. Think about the ways these students, now on fire for the Lord, can influence others. And so on, and so on, and so on.
It’s true. God really can use you to extend his kingdom! Choose one situation this week where you can make a difference, one friend or acquaintance who you can bring one step closer to the Lord. Step out in faith, and see what kind of effect you can have. If you give the Lord an inch, he will take you a mile!
“Holy Spirit, I give you permission to work more fully in my life. Come and fill me with your power and gifts, so that I might bear fruit for the kingdom.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30)
1. The first reading describes the virtues of a “worthy wife.” How would you summarize them?
2. The last virtue of a “worthy wife” in the first reading is one who “ fears the Lord.” The responsorial psalm picks up on this theme as well, describing the blessings of those who “fear the Lord.” What is the meaning of this virtue, and why is it so important in living our lives as Christians?
3. The second reading is the conclusion of St. Paul’s discussion of the Second Coming of Christ (see also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). When it comes to the Second Coming, why do we need to be “alert and sober”? What steps do you need to take to be more ready for the Second Coming of Christ?
4. In the Gospel parable, the servant who buried his master’s talent said he did it “out of fear.” In what way is the servant’s fear different than the fear of the Lord mentioned in the first reading and the responsorial psalm? Why do you think the servant was so harshly punished?
5. How important is it to hear the following words from the Gospel parable when you meet the Lord in Heaven? “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.” What do you believe are the “small matters” in your life that require more faithfulness?
6. In the meditation, we hear these words: “It’s true. God really can use you to extend his kingdom!” What steps can you take in the upcoming weeks to “extend his kingdom”?
7. Take some time now to pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and all the grace you need to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
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