“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.” Luke 19:24-26
Piety
"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law." 2 Maccabees 7:22-23
Study
If you did not read the Sunday Tripod for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, I will not repeat any of those themes…just look here from last Sunday. (Come Share Your Master’s Joy). Today, we get Luke’s parallel reading about the conduct of faithful and productive servants who use their natural talents to build the work of the “kingdom” combined with the story of the rejected king.
The rejected king in the story may have referred in some ways to a historical event. The notes to the NABRE explain that after the death of Herod the Great, his son Archelaus traveled to Rome to receive the title of king. A delegation of Jews appeared in Rome before Caesar Augustus to oppose (reject?) the request of Archelaus. Although not given the title of king, Archelaus was made ruler over Judea and Samaria.
In addition to that literal interpretation, this is the final parable before Jesus enters Jerusalem where he will meet his execution. We know that Jesus is not on his way to Jerusalem to receive the kingly power; for that, he must go away and only after returning from the distant country (a reference to the Parousia) will reward and judgment take place.[i] Jerusalem will be where he becomes the rejected king.
Action
November 22, 1963. Anyone in my generation knows exactly where they were after lunch on that date 54 years ago when shots rang out in Dealey Plaza in Dallas and Camelot came to a crashing end. Our president was “rejected” with a bullet from the end of a gun fired by Lee Harvey Oswald into the back of his head.
On May 29 of this year, we marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the United States' 35th President, John F. Kennedy. In his Inaugural Address, President Kennedy inspired a generation to use our talents for good:
Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself…The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.[ii]
President Kennedy asked us all to marry our actions as servant-citizens as well as people of faith.
“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”
As we approach the table of Thanksgiving this Thursday, think about the blessings and help that you have enjoyed. Devote your piety, study and action toward making God’s work our own mission. Everyone who has become good and faithful servants, more blessings will be given in thanks for building up the Kingdom of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment