Sunday, November 15th, 2020.  Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Guest Reflection
by John Kavanaugh, SJ 
 

So out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.  Here it is back.

Stewardship

The three parables in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew are about the end times, the end of the world, the end (intent, pur- pose, and upshot) of our lives. Whatever is given to us—money, talent, opportunity—is meant to bear fruit for the kingdom, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. As the parable im- mediately following the one about the talents makes clear, the entire judgment of history and of each individual is based upon our service to the least of our brothers and sisters.

In its most fundamental sense, the image of the talent repre- sents the bounty of life itself, as well as the preeminent gift of faith. If we are among those fortunate enough to reach the maturity required for personal responsibility and to have the opportunity to use the talents of life and faith, it is incumbent upon us to invest our gifts, not hide them out of fear or laziness.

The parable is not about the stock market or entrepreneurship, commendable as those activities might be. It is about what we do with our gifts, financial or otherwise. If anyone thinks that amassing wealth is somehow a good in itself, that person is seriously mistaken. Do not take it from me, but from the twelfth chapter of Luke: “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in abundance of possessions.”

I do not think that one can find either a recommendation or a rejection of capitalism in the gospels, although it is quite clear that the amassing of money for oneself is considered not only foolish, but evil. There are more warnings in the gospels about the dangers of money than about any other earthly good, so a successful Catholic capitalist is well advised to be most vigilant in stewardship.

The goods of the world and the wealth derived from our labor must be used for God's glory and human assistance. If a Christian would defend the benefits of capitalism, it ought to be based on the argument that capitalism is most effective in the service of God and ministry to the poor, homeless, and hungry.

The trustworthiness of the profitable servants ensures their share in the “joy of the Lord.” This is not because money is made. It is, rather, because the wealth of life and talent given them had been invested to bear fruit in labors of faith, hope, and charity.

Whether we are millionaires or paupers, it is upon this criterion that we will be judged.

— John Kavanaugh, SJ

SELECT HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of Sunday, November 15th, 2020, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

SELECT HERE  for the Readings of Sunday, November 15th, 2020, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.