Saturday of the Twenty-First Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

    Matthew 25:14–30

Meditatio

“Come, share your Master’s joy.”

    As you read this parable, notice the great differences between the relationships that the three servants have with their master. On the one hand, the servant who receives the one talent is operating out of a relationship of fear: He says, “Master, I knew you were a demanding person … so out of fear.…” By contrast, the master praises the other two servants for their faithfulness and invites them into a deeper experience of joy with him. Faithfulness and sharing another’s joy can only happen in the context of a good relationship, rooted in mutual trust and concrete experiences of shared love. Jesus’ parable reveals that the master’s focus is not primarily on using his servants for his own gain, but on inviting them into a closer relationship with him and a deeper sharing in his joy. The responsibilities the master gives the faithful servants and their obedience in carrying them out flow from their growing love and trust for one another.

    This parable gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the quality of our relationships with God and our neighbors. We want our relationships with others to be based on authentic and transparent love, rooted in our relationship with God. We don’t want them to be based on false masks or on a desire to gain something from the other. The Lord invites each of us to place our relationship with him at the center of all our interactions, words, and choices. Then, like the two faithful servants, we can move away from fear and know the joy of living in a good relationship with the Lord and the other people in our lives.

Oratio

    Jesus Master, help me to become more aware of the deep motivations that guide the choices I make. Help me to look honestly with you at all the relationships that are a part of my life, and above all, my relationship with you. I want to move away from forming relationships out of fear, or a desire to avoid punishment and failure. Help me to deeply receive your love for me so your love can grow in me and bear fruit in my relationships with others.

Contemplatio

    “Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Mt 10:31).

__

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)