19 Nov 2023
Cultivate the Garden of Life
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For 19 November 2023, Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on Matthew 25:14–30
Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
20 November 2023 @ 3:41 am
You made a reference in your very thoughtful reflection about a convent in which there were “Sisters who were very old and didn’t have much to give.” On its face, that statement is un-informed about the process of aging throughout life and it is very painful for each of us to hear, we who are either presently old or who are old-persons-in-training. Perhaps your statement reflects Western Culture, but I strongly suggest it needs a deeper explanation. Thank you.
20 November 2023 @ 3:56 am
I am so sorry that I did not communicate clearly enough. I did not want to say that elderly people have not much to give in total. However, sometimes it seems to be like that in comparison to what they, and I am thinking of my elderly Sisters, had to give in former times when they run a hospital or a kindergarten or were teachers.
Now they might not have the capacities to do that anymore but what they can do now is so much, even though it might be “just” prayer or giving their love. They create the whole atmosphere of a convent and thus create the space where others can flourish. We need them and I feel absolutely blessed to have a lot of very old Sisters.
Sorry for the confusion!
20 November 2023 @ 4:37 am
Thank you for your deep preaching.
Garden of Life, Yes!
20 November 2023 @ 5:33 pm
It is such a deep parable. I’ve been reading it for many years of course and the more one reads it, the more one finds. We are to build upon the grace the master offers. Thank you Sister.
23 November 2023 @ 3:27 am
I love the comment old -persons -in -training. I hadn’t heard that before. Enjoyed your preaching today. Thank you very much.