Daily Readings - Sat Sep 01 2018
1 Corinthians
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are,29so that no one may boast before him.30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
Matthew
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.28"'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound truth that our worth and purpose are not measured by the standards of the world but by the wisdom and grace of God. The first reading from 1 Corinthians challenges us to reflect on our vocation and the gifts we have been given. Paul emphasizes that God chooses the weak and the humble to confound the strong and the wise. This is a call to humility, recognizing that our true strength comes not from our own abilities or status but from our relationship with Christ, who is our wisdom, justice, and redemption.
The Gospel from Matthew reinforces this message through the parable of the talents. The master entrusts his servants with different amounts of talents, not based on their worth but according to their ability. The servants who use their talents wisely and productively are praised and rewarded, while the one who buries his talent out of fear is condemned. This parable invites us to reflect on how we use the gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. It is not about how much we have but about how faithfully we use what we have been given. The servant who failed to act was not punished for his lack of talent but for his failure to take risks and trust in the master’s plan.
These readings call us to live with purpose and courage, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for us. In our daily lives, we are invited to recognize the gifts we have been given and to use them in service to others and for the glory of God. Let us not be afraid to take risks or to step out in faith, knowing that our ultimate reward is not in earthly success but in hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” May we strive to live humbly, trust fully, and serve generously, remembering that everything we have is a gift from God.