Daily Readings - Sat Aug 31 2019
1 Thessalonians
9Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.10And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
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 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.