THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE A

Opening prayer: Loving God, in your word today, you call us to be wise and industrious stewards of all that you have placed in our care. Help us to develop and utilize all that you have given us to bless the communities we belong to. Breathe your Spirit upon us as we gather to share life in your word. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sharing life: What brings you most joy?

Facilitator reads focus statement: Two interesting but contrasting figures appear in this Sunday’s first and third readings. Proverbs’ wife and mother, with all her domestic duties, finds time to develop skills and to dedicate herself to the needs of others. In Matthew’s Parable of the Talents, the rejected servant is totally devoid of an enterprising spirit. We are told in these readings that the fruitful use of God’s gifts enter into the final assessment of our lives. In the second reading, Paul urges vigilance in the light of the uncertainty of the time of the Second Coming of Jesus.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before or after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

The Book of Proverbs is a part of Israel’s Wisdom Literature. It is a collection of teachings on how to live a good and virtuous life.

Chapter 31, from which today’s reading is excerpted, is introduced as advice given to Lemuel, King of Massa, by his mother. The reading sings the praises of a good wife. The author looks upon this wife, not just as a companion to her husband, but also as a worker and producer. In the light of today’s Gospel, this reading offers us a practical example of a woman who did make good use of her God-given talents. In the Gospel, fear paralyzed the third servant. In this reading, fear of the Lord seems to motivate the woman to live an industrious life – using her talents to create clothes, etc. Also, "she reaches out to the needy." (See chapter 31 for a full description of this woman.) Most of all, she has deep reverential fear of the Lord. These lasting qualities are far more important and superior to a vanishing physical attraction. Even though in the culture of the time the woman was seen as property, ("a good wife is an unfailing prize"), she is also portrayed as one who employs her gifts for the good of the family and the other members of the community. The reading reflects an image of a woman prevalent at that time. She was valued for what she could do for her husband, rather than recognized for her true value as a woman of wisdom and enterprise.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 128

This wisdom psalm refers to the blessing of a worthy wife extolling the virtues of family life in general.

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

The reading speaks to the question: When will the Second Coming occur? Paul responds: Who knows? It will come like a thief in the night. But, if we live in the light of Christ, we will have nothing to fear. Also, because the Lord could return when we least expect it, we should put aside all deeds of darkness.

GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30

These verses continue the theme of preparedness that began in last Sunday’s Gospel. In this gospel, the focus is on the manner in which one is expected to use the time before Jesus returns.

The man who goes on the journey (Christ) show great confidence in all three servants, for he gives each one a significant amount of money. When the man returns from his journey, he settles accounts with his servants. He praises the first two for being industrious and enterprising. He condemns the third servant for his lack of enterprise, for his failure to use well his master’s money. The Master is obviously not happy with those who "bury" their gifts. Reflecting on this gospel, Fr. Dennis McBride writes:

"The parable imagines God as a gambler, one who is forever taking risks in entrusting us with his gifts. He has no guarantee on his return, but that is the risk. He dares us to share a common enterprise; he trusts us to do it in our own way, knowing that if we succeed both will have reason to celebrate.

The defense of the third servant is interesting. He focuses on the reputed meanness of the master, not on his own proven lack of enterprise. He takes the problem away from where it is – with himself – and places the problem where it is not – with his master.

He portrays the master as harsh; there is no admission that his own creativity leans toward the cemetery. He ends up burying part of himself. And we should only bury what is dead."

The bottom-line message is: faithfulness, risk-taking and activity are blessed. Unfaithfulness, cowardice and inactivity are condemned.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse, idea or image in the readings spoke to you most? Why?

2. What quality do you most admire in the woman described in the first reading?

3. Husbands or single men, what qualities do you or would you seek in a wife or female friend? Wives or single women: What qualities do you or would you seek in a husband or male friend?

4. The Gospel presents us with an image of God that expects a good return on his investment in our lives and that harshly condemns the servant who gives no return. How does this image of God make you feel?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Name one way you can act on this Sunday’s readings. Suggestion: Activate a gift/talent you are sitting on.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION.