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.'
Today's parable is familiar to anyone who has watched people invest their time, energy, and resources well; and watched others who preferred waste, indolence, and parasitic reliance on others. Some people are just stupid in money matters.
I knew one fellow who, following September 9, 2001, hid in utter terror in his basement beneath a remote farmhouse. After several days his sister persuaded him the danger had passed, Recognizing he was not the brightest flower on the family tree, his parents created a trust fund for their son; and found an honest lawyer to handle it when they died. My friend resented the lawyer intensely, but everyone knew he was a fool with money.
Jesus uses this parable to remind us of the extraordinary graces we have been given, including the freedom of the children of God. That is an opportunity not to be wasted! It's more than money, time, privilege, or power; it is God's guiding spirit. And it comes with courage, authority, wisdom, meaning, and purpose. It is not impulsive, senseless, silly, or foolish. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Church has announced the Gospel to all nations, building churches, schools, universities, hospital, orphanages, soup kitchens, and innumerable other agencies to guide the sheep of his flock and lead the world to Christ.
We have witnessed the punishment that fell on the fool who fearfully buried his opportunity in the dirt. God's people require no second warning.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.