Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with The Parable of The Talents. Key words in this gospel passage are “entrusted,” “traded”, “accounts” and “faithful.” These words help us to understand the heart of Jesus’ teaching in this parable.
This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday is an opportunity to take time for gratitude: for faith, for family, for friends, for health, for the necessities of life, for employment, and for so many other good things. These goods have been “entrusted” to us by God. He gives them to
us on loan because of His love for us.
Thanksgiving also reminds us that one of the greatest gifts of God to us is life itself. As a gift, life is meant to be used, in faith, constructively. This brings to mind the word “traded” from the gospel. What are we doing with our lives to express gratitude to God? How are we using our gifts and talents to build up the Church and further the Kingdom of God?
On Thanksgiving Day, we gather with family and friends to celebrate the goodness in our lives. As we do, we cherish memories of past blessings and pray for those who have blessed our lives but who now rest with the Lord. We also praise God for His faithful and eternal love. As God is ever faithful to us in His love and mercy so He calls us to faithful stewardship and holiness in imitation of Him.
As we relish Thanksgiving joys, we remember that they are pale in comparison to the joy of Heaven which God has in store for His faithful people. This brings to mind the word “accounts” from this Sunday’s gospel passage. In the parable, the master, returning from his journey, visits the servants he has entrusted his money to and seeks to settle accounts with them. This portion of the parable is symbolic of God judging each human soul particularly after death. Scripture tells us that we will be judged on love, how we have loved or not loved God and neighbor in our lives. When God settles “accounts” with us, what will we relate we have done? How will we explain our actions of charity or lack of these? As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us allow our hearts to desire Heaven’s joy above earthly goods and prepare for Heaven by the way we live each day.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael