{"id":1491,"date":"2014-11-16T12:42:09","date_gmt":"2014-11-16T17:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/?p=1491"},"modified":"2014-11-16T12:42:09","modified_gmt":"2014-11-16T17:42:09","slug":"33rd-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-a-homily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/33rd-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-a-homily\/","title":{"rendered":"33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily"},"content":{"rendered":"

33rd<\/sup> Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A<\/a>
\nProverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
\n1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
\nMatthew 25:14-30
\nNovember 16, 2014<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the man was preparing to go away on a journey, he knew he had to leave someone in charge of his possessions.\u00a0 He calls forth three of his servants to give them some of his wealth while he is away.\u00a0 He gives \u201cto each according to his ability\u201d<\/em> so he must know the servants.\u00a0 Based on what he knows about them he gives them different amounts.<\/p>\n

Then,\u201cAfter a long time\u201d<\/em> he returns to settle the account with them.\u00a0 Two have doubled what he gave them so he says to them \u201cWell done, my good and faithful servant\u201d<\/em> and gives them more responsibility.<\/p>\n

The third did nothing with what he was given.\u00a0 In fact, he literally buried it in the ground.\u00a0 He is punished for his failure to do good with what he has been given.<\/p>\n

In the beginning, God gave humans dominion over all the earth.\u00a0 Everything comes from God and belongs to God.\u00a0 I need to stress God gives us \u201cdominion\u201d, not \u201cownership.\u201d\u00a0 What do we do with what God has given us?<\/p>\n

Jesus came and taught us the Lord\u2019s ways.\u00a0 He gives us the gift of life with God.\u00a0 Do we appreciate what we have been given?<\/p>\n

The Holy Spirit gives various gifts and abilities.\u00a0 Do we recognize the gifts?\u00a0 Do we use them for ourselves or to help other people?\u00a0 Do we use them for the building up of God\u2019s Kingdom?<\/p>\n

Just as the man returned one day to settle the accounts with his servants, Jesus will return to settle accounts with us for what we have been given.<\/p>\n

When?<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t know for as Paul says \u201cthe day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

As our church year draws to a close with the approach of Advent, our readings lead us to think about the Second Coming and our readiness.<\/p>\n

So we might ask when the Second Coming will happen.\u00a0 How much time do I have to get ready, can you give me the date and time?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the wrong way of thinking about it.\u00a0 We need to be ready but \u2018being ready\u2019 as Catholics should not be scheduled for a particular day.\u00a0 If we truly want to follow Jesus we need to live as Jesus taught us every day.\u00a0 When we do, we will be ready every day.<\/p>\n

So ask yourself how well are you using what God has given you?\u00a0 Do you use what you have solely for yourself or in ways that show your love for God and neighbor?<\/p>\n

Sometimes people feel like they are insignificant and don\u2019t offer much to the world.\u00a0 That would be wrong.\u00a0 God has given each of us gifts to help make our world better.\u00a0 I serve God in direct ministry but we all can help make the world better.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s think about some tasks that might be described as insignificant by some.\u00a0 First, I think of custodial staff that clean building.\u00a0 Where would we be if they didn\u2019t clean?\u00a0 Visibly we would have a mess but more importantly, if they don\u2019t clean and do a good job, we end up with more germs and we all get sick.\u00a0 People who clean are important.<\/p>\n

What about people who \u201cdig ditches?\u201d\u00a0 Without them, we would have no water or sewer.\u00a0 Won\u2019t that be a mess?<\/p>\n

So, as we think about the gifts we have been given, it isn\u2019t just about what we do but the attitude we do it with.<\/p>\n

Does the way you use what you have given show an \u201cattitude of gratitude?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30 November 16, 2014   As the man was preparing to go away on a journey, he knew he had to leave someone in charge of his possessions.\u00a0 He calls forth three of his servants to give them some of …<\/p>\n

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