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GOSPEL

Why did you not put my money in a bank?

From the Gospel according to 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.

The gospel of the Lord.

Faithful in the small things.

It’s undeniable that we are insignificant, and our efforts, no matter how great they may be, have no intrinsic value before God. But look at the Blessed Sacrament. Look at Jesus in the bread. He teaches me: His Holy Spirit transforms the bread into Christ, won’t He do the same with us? We just have to be faithful in the little that we are and surrender it to the Lord for Him to work the miracle.

Applied to married life:

Ana: Thank you, James, for insisting and inviting me to breakfast this morning. It’s not so much about the food, but because I needed to talk to you.

James: Thank you for accepting my offer after I messed up with you yesterday. Also, thank you for valuing my effort to restore communion with you.

Ana: You are very important to me. When you are far from my heart, anxiety and sadness take over. You are the most important to me. Being well with you gives me strength to overcome all the challenges and crosses I bear, but without you, the world collapses on me.

James: It makes me happy seeing you happy. Just that. I don’t need more. Because that’s when I know I am doing God’s will, and the Lord is present with us and will act in us by the power of our sacrament.

Ana: Can I have a hug?

(And this scene doesn’t conclude with a fade to black but with both of them blending into a beautiful hug ..both human and divine. The end.)

Mother,

The mine that God has given me is worth more than all the gold mines in the world. It is my spouse. May I know how to respond to such a wonderful gift. Praise be to our King.