We are not Left Idle

 Reflection on Today's Readings, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, November 15th, 2020

Texts: Prov. 31:10-13.19-20.30-31; Ps. 128:1-5; 1Thes. 5:1-6; Matt. 25:14-30

The second coming of our Lord is approaching, but it is difficult to say how soon it is. We are not told how soon it will be because it should not be our concern. Our concern is the task we have been entrusted with. Our Lord has not left us idle, but kept us busy till he comes. Today's gospel reading reminds us of the fact that our Lord has kept us busy till he comes. The reading says, "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away."

 There should be no jealousy among us, for we do not have the same ability and thus we are not entrusted with same number of talents. The different abilities we have lead to different commitments. We are to take seriously whatever commitment given to us and we are to be content with them. What should be our concern is making use of our talents, gifts and skills for the glory of God and betterment of humanity, not the time our Lord will come. 

The day of the Lord will come upon us like thief in the night, so we are to live every day of our lives being ready to meet the Lord. Hence, St. Paul says, "But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not sleep, as other do, but let us keep awake and be sober." Being the sons of light and the day requires being in ready mood every day.

The first reading captures what our lives should be as we wait for the Lord; it captures it in the image of a good wife. We are to be trustworthy, we are to be industrious, we are to be righteous, that is, doing what is right and good, we are to be just, that is, being open handed to the poor and reaching out to the needy, and we are to fear the Lord. Today's psalm says, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways!" The fear of the Lord here is not like that of unfaithful servant who bury his master's talent. The fear of the servant arises from ill perception of his master and hatred towards him; his ill feeling towards his master arises from his perception of him. The fear of the Lord arises from one's acknowledgement of God's majesty and filia love towards him. It is the kind of love that makes us stay away from doing evil because of someone we love. This kind of fear of the Lord makes us to walk in ways, it facilitates obedience to the Lord, and to be committed to his course.

As we wait for the Lord we are to be committed to the course of our Lord that our good works will praise us wherever we find ourselves or our names are mentioned. As we await the Lord we are to be committed to acquiring virtues and let our virtues praise us.

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with Constancy the author of all that is good. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke