Daily Readings - Sat Aug 31 2019
1 Thessalonians
9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
Matthew
14"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.19Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'21His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'22And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'23His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'24He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'26But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed?27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of community, responsibility, and stewardship. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians encourages us to embrace brotherly love and work diligently, emphasizing the importance of community and self-sufficiency. It reminds us that our faith is not just about individual belief but also about living in harmony and supporting one another.
The Gospel parable of the talents from Matthew 25 shifts the focus to individual accountability. The master entrusts each servant with talents according to their ability, expecting them to use these gifts wisely. The servants who invest and grow their talents are rewarded, while the one who hides his talent is reprimanded. This parable underscores the importance of being responsible stewards of what we are given, whether that be skills, resources, or time.
Together, these readings balance the need for community support with personal initiative. They remind us that our faith calls us to both love and work within our communities. As we reflect on our own lives, let us consider how we use our talents and abilities. Are we contributing to the common good, or are we holding back? Let us strive to be faithful stewards, using our gifts to enrich our communities and honor God. In doing so, we embody the balance of communal love and individual responsibility, living out our faith with purpose and dedication.