Daily Readings - Sun Nov 15 2020
Proverbs
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
1 Thessalonians
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Matthew
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faithfulness, responsibility, and the call to live with purpose and vigilance. In the first reading from Proverbs, we encounter the portrait of the "strong woman," a figure of wisdom, generosity, and integrity. She is a wife, mother, and manager of her household, whose life is marked by hard work, compassion for the poor, and a deep trust in God. Her value lies not in charm or beauty but in her fear of the Lord and her fruitful life. This passage is not just a celebration of a virtuous woman but also a timeless reminder that true greatness is measured by how we use our gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God.
The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to the urgency of living as children of light. St. Paul reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. While the world may seek comfort in false security and complacency, believers are called to stay awake and sober, ready to meet the Lord at any moment. This passage challenges us to live with a sense of purpose and accountability, knowing that our time on this earth is limited and that we must make the most of the opportunities we have.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, where a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of wealth before going on a journey. The servants who invest their talents wisely and produce more are praised and rewarded, while the one who buries his talent out of fear is condemned. This parable is a powerful reminder that we are all stewards of the gifts, resources, and time God has given us. We are called to use them wisely, courageously, and creatively to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.
These readings are deeply connected. The strong woman of Proverbs exemplifies the kind of faithfulness and responsibility that Jesus commends in the parable of the talents. She uses her gifts to build up her family and community, just as the servants in the Gospel are expected to use their talents to increase the master’s wealth. At the same time, the passage from 1 Thessalonians reminds us that our faithfulness must be accompanied by vigilance and a readiness to meet the Lord. Together, these readings call us to live with intentionality, gratitude, and a commitment to using our gifts for the greater good.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I using the talents, resources, and time God has entrusted to me? Am I living with a sense of purpose and responsibility, or am I complacent and fearful? Let us strive to be like the strong woman and the faithful servants, who inspire us to live with courage, generosity, and a deep trust in God’s providence. May we use our gifts to build up the kingdom of God and to bring joy and hope to those around us.