Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Two of today’s readings contain passages that are my least favorite. The parable especially, I am not very fond of it. And I will tell you in a moment why. But, it is not my intention to make you dislike the parable. The first half of my homily, then, is about how I do not want to approach the parable and the second half of the homily is a more acceptable vantage point to understand the parable.
The parable of the talents invariably leads us to the talents that the Master gave to each of his three servants, and how each of them used it. The parable is so composed that the first two servants come out looking really good and the third servant comes out looking evil. In a capitalist country like ours, many people will find that this parable is indeed very fair. Those who work hard, invest right and show success will make it in life and those who are lazy and foolish will have to face the consequence of their attitude toward life. And then it gets even worse; “For everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not even what he has will be taken away.” No one asks the question how the person came the attitude he or she has. Even if this parable is not about money, I wonder how many people cannot but apply this to their current financial situation. I know so many people who worked hard, were honest, invested wisely and yet had everything taken away. They were duped, scammed and quite honestly naively led by policies that favor the rich and the politically powerful. If this parable was about money, then God would always be on the side of the rich. Neither do I think is this parable about human abilities. Surely, I cannot compare myself to Paul McCartney, James Bond, Lady Gaga or the Pope. Life is not a reality show in which the most talented take the prize. God is not like Howie Mandel on America’s Got Talent!
This is the half that I do not want to preach about. I read the parable numerous times before to be inspired. And then inspiration came like the dewfall. Twice, we hear the invitation, “Come share the master’s joy.” And after much prayer, I decided to the use the master’s joy rather that talents as a vantage point within which to approach this parable.
So here are my three points for today.
a) The concept “master’s joy” takes me away from legalism and settling accounts. It brings me to the level of a relationship. God is my master but God is more than my master. God is my father, my mother, my friend and my confidant. I also realize that this is a relationship of two unequal partners. God is God and I am merely, me. I owe my existence, daily sustenance and my destiny to God. God has given me life and I will return back to God. I understand today’s parable to say that the life, the personality, the capacity, the likes and the dislikes that each one of us has, is unique. Our life project – keeping in mind our origin and our destiny – is to become the best person we can become, so that our life gives glory, honor, and thanks to God. God’s joy is in seeing each human person living out their lives in dignity, in faith, in love and in peace. The practical implication for us is that we should take stock of our life this week and make sure that we are on the path to becoming the best person we can become; that the various dimensions of our life are indeed bringing glory, honor and gratitude to God; that we are indeed living dignified, holy, faith-filled and peaceful love. If we are doing this the God’s joy is already ours.
b) Today’s first reading has a very good lesson for us. “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,” says the book of proverbs. In other words, there is another measure for success than beauty, charm, wealth, fame or popularity. It is about meaning and purpose. When does a life have meaning? When it brings joy – joy to God and joy to others! Yes! Illness, hardships, and anxiety about the future are all stark realities of our lives. But through it all, like Christ, to genuinely be the cause for love, comfort, peace and joy to others can be very redeeming. This is the opposite of being abusive, manipulative, self-oriented, and self-serving. Yes, as husband and father, be the cause of joy to your wife and children; as wife and mother seek to bring nothing but comfort and security. As children, seek to be pride and joy of the family. Together, be the source of God’s joy.
c) And now I want to return to the third servant about whom the master said, “Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” In Jesus’ time, much of the negative dimension of human life was attributed to demons or to sin. No one would ask the question why the third servant failed. I want to balance this parable with the story of Zacchaeus, or the adulterous woman, or Peter whose lives became meaningful because of Christ’s compassion and intervention in their lives. After all, the lost sheep and the lost son are saved. Today, we must also show tremendous compassion, especially since we understand human psychology and behavior far better. People fail for various reasons – some because they did not get a decent childhood; others, because they did not have good role models; others because they were taught wrong; others because they are wired that way. Not every person on welfare is lazy; not every person in prison was born a criminal; not every person is poor is because they did not invest right. May we, like Christ, bring meaning and purpose to people’s lives through our intervention and compassion, instead of condemning them to wailing and grinding of teeth.
Fr. Satish Joseph