August 28, 2021, Saturday
FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (White)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 430
Reading I
1 Thes 4:9-11
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more,
and to aspire to live a tranquil life,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands,
as we instructed you.
Responsorial Psalm
98:1, 7-8, 9
R. (9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Alleluia
Jn 13:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mt 25:14-30
“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.’”
REFLECTION:
This parable is more than an exhortation to use well our qualities. It is about the Kingdom, which is entrusted to us as the Master leaves for a long journey. When he returns, he expects his servants to have put to work the riches he had entrusted to them. The first two risked and doubled what they had been given. They were praised for their commitment to their master, to the Kingdom. The third servant, who was afraid of the master, lost even the one talent he had.
Wealth can lead to happiness, and can lead to generosity, if we remain masters of money rather than letting money, or its equivalent like property, personal or family reputation, or job, master us. The money in the ground made no extra money, but it gave no worries to the servant or the master while it was there! Money can contribute to happiness and can save us from many worries; but it can also engender anxiety and will never, of itself, make us happy. Jesus was one who founded his happiness on his relationship with God, and on the fulfillment of his mission in life. We can find a true happiness when our lives are guided towards God and live in the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Before I think of what my talents might be and count them out, I turn to the One from whom all blessings come. Help me, God, to appreciate how I make a difference in the world. Refine me so that who I am may give glory to you.
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