Daily Gospel Reflection for November 15, 2020 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I’ve never been fond of this passage. I’ve heard about using the gifts we’re given, multiplying the Kingdom, and not sitting on our hands. Out of love for God we are to use the gifts we’re given, well and often!

In this parable, I look at THAT master with a skeptical eye. We are told he’s a demanding lord, and it appears with a sense of entitlement.

My heart goes out to that insecure servant! We’re told that the talents were given “to each according to his ability.” The master knew the servant was the lesser, and this is the rub! The servant did not lose, squander, or steal the money. I suspect fear clouded his thoughts and he never considered anything but keeping safe what he was given.

God knows us intimately. He knows better than I, what I can and cannot do. He knows when my fears will hold me back and no amount of prayer can be said to help me carry my gifts into the world. With such anxieties I like the servant doubt my fate, and to paraphrase St. Ignatius, I do not want to fear being stillborn into eternity.

That was until I came across these comforting words from Pope Benedict XVI about God’s love, “God's passionate love for his people—for humanity—is at the same time a forgiving love. It is so great that it turns God against himself, his love against his justice." (Deus caritas est, 10).

I like many am a frail bit of humanity; I fail, fall short, beg for mercy, get up and try again. As an Oblate of Saint Benedict, the Rule encourages, “Always we begin again.”
My Lord and yours loves us so much that His justice will not cast us aside for our fears; His mercy knows our desire as we persevere through faith.

Ponder:

When have you, like so many of us, fail to move forward for Our Lord because fear held you back?

Pray:

Dear Lord, help me to displace my fears, confident of Your guidance. Give me the courage to persevere out of love for You.

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God knows us intimately. He knows better than I, what I can and cannot do. He knows when my fears will hold me back. #dailygospel

Copyright 2020 Margaret Rose Realy, Obl OSB