Thirty-third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 31:10-13,
19-20, 30-31
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30 or
25:14-15, 19-21
My generation became accustomed to looking for “charismatic” individuals. Ours was the age of the Kennedys. It was a time of ecclesial leadership that was larger than life. No one was surprised when a Chicago priest caught my imagination and kindled my faith. At the time, I was so caught up with his enthusiasm and creative gifts that I gladly entered a field where few other lay women had walked before. When this gifted man left the priesthood to marry, I feared that he would take his gifts with him. I was wrong. The ministerial community grew and the ministry thrived. The experience taught me one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned.
The “talents” in today’s Gospel have—first of all—been interpreted as coins or a weight of coinage, easily measured and quantified. Whether we use money wisely or understand the complicated economics ruling the world today, most of us know the principles that govern personal economics. Even a fifth grader knows about interest and the wisdom of putting one’s money to work. On this level, the parable points to the style of life that we are to embrace until the coming of the kingdom. We are to use what God has given responsibly. It is a general message. Most of us have discovered that the specifics of Gospel living are much more complicated than any single parable can express.
On another level this same talent is a “gift” inherent in the human person. It can be enhanced and it will grow. Poetic license allows the storyteller to quantify this sort of aptitude. None of the rest of us can say whether we have one or two or even 20 talents. For the most part, we measure gifts by their quality rather than their quantity. The lesson is simple. We are challenged to develop our gifts and return them to the Lord through and for the community.
Talents and charisms are not the private and exclusive possession of individuals. They belong to the community. Those who have talents have obligations. We are obliged to bring the symphonies we hear in our heads to the concert hall. We need to add our poetry to the literature of the world, to pass our insights onto the next generation. Even when we are gone, our talents will remain.
There will be those who will hesitate lest their contribution not be found acceptable. What will give them strength and courage? The first reading is about the support that makes it possible for people to take risks. Because of the confidence of their spouses, husbands and wives can live in fidelity. Because of our community relationship and the affirmation we sometimes receive, we are willing and able to take risks.
At this liturgy, we move toward the altar in the company of those who encourage us to show our gifts. These are the people who enable us to realize our talents. With their support and prayer, we need not fear rejection. We know we can handle failure. We know our successes will be greater than our limited talent.
Today we celebrate the Church and the diverse talents of many committed individuals. There are those among us whose names will echo through history. There are many more whose contribution might be greater simply because their wholehearted support and encouragement enabled others to do more than bury their talents.
