Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
This messy election, for some in our country, has been a sign of the beginning of the end.
As the liturgical year comes to a literal end, the readings push us toward an eschatological view of the world. This is important, not that the end of the World is imminent, yet the end of days, especially for us personally. It is the circle of life. The first reading describes John’s vision of heaven. The imagery of this vision describes the scene in a trumpet like voice. The picture portrayed is one where an angel takes the visionary through a large door revealing a stunning scene with it heavenly court and all its attendants.
The author of Revelation describes that which can barely be described with beautiful language. “On the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian.” (Rev. 4:3) The one who sat on the throne appeared like the sparkling of a precious gemstone. This heavenly journey is one which we all hope to make some day. It is a foretaste of what is to come.
Part of this preview of heaven is found the song exclaimed in the first reading and echoed in the psalm. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” (Rev. 4:8b) “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, mighty God!” (Psalm 150: 1b.) It is no coincidence then that we sing that these similar words as an acclamation, “The Sanctus” at Mass. It is a connection to the heavenly choir that joins our voices at liturgy.
The familiar gospel is Luke’s parable of Gold coins, which parallel to Matthew’s parable of the talents. The King goes on a journey entrusts ten servants with ten gold coins; notice that all started with the same amount. The servants must each decide how to “engage in trade”. Upon their master’s return, each servant reports their accomplishments or the lack there of. The Master rewards those who have invested well and punishes those who haven’t. For Luke, the issue is how one uses their material possessions in response to the Lord’s generosity.
Our reflection today could lead us to think about our own use of money, yet it seems that the other readings call us to something broader. How is it that we invest the whole of our self into our journey of faith? Is our faith life habituated to a few minutes a day, or something we just do on Sunday? Are we like the servant paralyzed by fear? What is it that makes us afraid?
"Lord help us to turn over our fears to You. Give us the vision to see Your reflection in the creation all around us. Guide our thoughts, words, and deeds so we find new ways to invest our whole self into our faith and our relationship with You. Amen!"
- Deacon Michael Montgomery