Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: That those entrusted with the care of the children and young people of our world be to them channels of God’s wisdom, compassion, fidelity, and love.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 19:11-28
While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”
After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
From the Thirteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Jesus Christ, having been appointed by God to be your judge will say to you as the owner said to his manager, Give me an account of your administration. He will then look into the very depths of your heart to examine whether you have been faithful managers of the wealth he has entrusted to you and of the talents which he has given you to work in his service. The good or bad use you have made of those gifts will then become clear, for the Lord who judges you will unveil what is most hidden and most secret in the depths of your hearts.
Prayer
Eternal Father, you bless us with so many gifts in life, yet sometimes we are afraid to share them. You ask us to bring peace to the world, but we watch while hatred and suffering spread. You ask us to give voice to your justice, but we stay silent when others are oppressed or forgotten. Grant us the courage to use what you have given us to build you Kingdom, living each day with humility and compassion. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.