Reflection for 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Prov 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31, 1 Thes
5:1-6, Mt 25:14-30)
1.0. The Craft of Charity
“A man going on
a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property...to each
according his ability” (cf. Mt 25:14-15). This story from the Gospel of today
presents yet another end-time scenario, in which the servants were summoned to
give account of how they used the talents entrusted to them. The story presents
the master as shrewd in his charity. He bequeathed his property to them,
trusting in their ability to be creative with them. “To one he gave five
talents, to another two, to another one.”
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| He gave each according to his ability |
This is not
partiality. He distributed his gifts according their different abilities. In
this way he demonstrated that his generosity met each at the point of his need.
Sometimes people enslave others in the name of being charitable to them. But
the master’s charity to his servants is liberating, meeting each at his genuine
need or ability. The Master does not allow His servants carry a cross they
cannot bear (cf. 1Cor 10:13). His charity to them was not causal; it was well
crafted. He loved each servant despite his shortfall or mightiness, each according to his ability.
In addition,
his delay in returning is part of his craft of charity. He gave them ample
opportunity to put in their very best. The servants were not under pressure.
They enjoyed free space and time. “Now after a long time the master of those
servants came and settled accounts with them.” Their outputs showed how each
responded to the generosity of their master, who bequeathed to them, talents,
time and space. We must note that time and space was given equally, but talent
was given to each according to his ability.
2.0. The
Light of Creativity
Creativity and
industriousness shine out like the good
wife, as described in the first reading. “Give her the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates” (Prov 31:31). In the same way, the
first two servants put their talents to use. The master praised them for their
creativity and hard work. “Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into
the joy your master.” We could feel the joy and confidence in the two servants
who put their talents to profitable use. Creativity enlightens the heart. Those
who are ingenious and industrious rejoice at the work of their hands.
“Not so are the
wicked, not so. For they are like chaff that is blown away by the wind” (Ps
1:4). The servant with the one talent hid it in the ground. He subjected the one
talent to darkness and decay! He blamed his master for his failure:
“Master, I knew you to be a hard man...so I was afraid, and went and hid your
talent in the ground” (Mt 25:24-25). He did not know his master. In his
selfishness, he never appreciated his master’s charity, and obviously, never
loved his master. We are asked to fear God, but never to be afraid of Him. Fear
of God is wisdom. To be afraid of him is the outcome of unbelief and hardness
of heart. Thus, there is darkness in his heart.
The master
exposed him: “You wicked and lazy servant!” (Mt 25:26). His first problem is
wickedness, which indicates the lack of love in his heart. He is a man of
anger, vengeance and decay. The light of charity could not penetrate his
darkened heart. His heart was unfruitful, so he could not yield any profit. Secondly, he was a lazy man, so unwilling to
work or take risk. He who does not want to carry his cross will end up being a
cross to others. It is funny that this servant could not take any initiative
for productivity, even to deposit the money with the bankers. This man is
contrasted with the good wife, who is loving and hardworking. The lazy servant
ended up in the outer darkness, where his heart belongs, and “where there will
be weeping and grinding of teeth” (Mt 25:30).
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| There is joy when we use our talents well |
God is the
source of creativity. The more we realize ourselves in God, the more creative
we become. Faith and love enlightens us and dispels that fear that tries to
darken our hearts. Creativity shines.
3.0. The joy of the Harvest
“Those who are
sowing in tears will sing when they reap” (Ps 126:5). The master’s method of
reward is quite unique. He applied the same standard of reward to the two
servants who were productive, showing that he loved them equally though their
abilities vary. “I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master”
(Mt 25:21,23). Now, the servant shall enjoy like his master. No eye has seen,
no ear has heard what God planned for those who love Him (cf. 1Cor 2:9). The
joy of the harvest surpasses the pain of the sowing. The sufferings we go
through now cannot be compared with the blessings that await us (cf. Rm 8:18).
Abundance awaits those who put their talents to creative use.
“But you are
not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (1Thes
5:4). The light of creativity shines on us through Jesus Christ. “In your light
we see light” (Ps 36:9). He enlightens our hearts that by loving God, we may
discover ourselves and love the gifts he has bequeathed to us, each according to his ability. Jesus
tells us this parable to prepare us for the judgement day so that we would not
be taken unawares. Furthermore, this parable encourages us to be creative and
industrious with our talents. There is no alternative to hard work and
creativity.
Wickedness and
laziness should not be part of the children of light; they belong to darkness.
They spread poverty like a plague. “For you are all sons of light and sons of
the day; we are not of the night or darkness” (1Thes 5:5). Therefore, keeping
awake in faith and love of God, floods the light of creativity into our hearts.
But we must be courageous to be industrious like the good wife and put our talents to use. Hard work does not fail.
The joy of the harvest awaits us, even to eternity.
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Fr Chinwenwa J. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Church of Ascension, Nyahasang,
Calabar, Nigeria.
Sunday, November 19, 2017.
