Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

It is with powerful yet somewhat violent imagery today that the readings speak of giving each of us all we need for the building of the Kingdom of God.  The story from the Second book of Maccabees shares the image of a faith-filled family. The narrative has the family being tortured for their beliefs.  As each brother refuses to obey the command of the king, they are executed, all this while their mother watches.  The mom waxes poetically about how the creator of the universe gave each child life and to them they will return.  Her statement is not defeatist though, as she encourages her sons to accept their fate with hope that a merciful God will reunite them all again some day.

The responsorial psalm picks up where the first reading leaves off.  “Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full” (Ps 17:15b) The gospel completes the theme for the day and makes the connection with closing of the liturgical year.  The king in the gospel contrasts the king from the first reading.  The king in the gospel challenged his servants to each take the gifts he gave them (ten coins) and use them for the good of the kingdom. 

Truly we were all made to know, love, and serve God in this world, so that we can be happy with God in the next.  To this end God has graced us generously with many gifts.  No matter what those gifts or how many we have been given they have been given for us to use.  Unlike our materialistic culture’s stance, these gifts are not just for us.  They are for the good of the community.  The gospel’s stance may seem radical, but the challenge remains, we need to use the to courageously grow the kingdom here on earth.

Reflect upon all the gifts with which you have been blessed; it might be time, talent or treasure.  Pray about those gifts.  If one of them keeps coming to mind, commit to using that gift for the benefit of the community grow.

“God of all creation, You have blessed each of us with an abundance of gifts.  Enlighten us so that we might recognize that all we have comes from You.  Show us a specific way today which we can share that blessing with You. Amen!”

-Michael Montgomery