Boast in the Lord September 2

God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not,even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25: 29

Piety

Let us pray: God, you created everything and gave us what is good. Help us to be good stewards of your gifts and use these to accomplish your mission. Let our lamps shine from the top of the hill illuminating all around us for your sake. Deliver us from evil and grant us peace today. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/090206.shtml

These stories are not just about the remote three servants in the parable. They are about us. What do we do with the talents that we have been given? In our action or inaction, we pave the way for our final judgment.

Many of the chief human flaws are played out in the actions of the third servant while we witness the virtuous behavior of the first two.

The first reading sets up this story and clarifies that today’s Good News story is not about earthly riches. This is not an economic parable about the rich getting richer in a financial, investment sense. Rather it is a parable about getting richer in God’s grace.

"Boasting (about oneself)" is an expression from St. Paul for the radical sin of Pride that yields the claim to autonomy on the part of the individual. Pride creates the illusion that we live and are saved by our own resources or the excessive belief in one's own abilities. That behavior interferes with our recognition of the grace of God. “Boasting in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31), on the other hand, is the acknowledgment that we live only from God and for God.

The virtues of the first two servants are not of their own making but rather are because God instilled these qualities in them. They acknowledge that and act accordingly.

Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. Looking out over your situation and desiring the gains made by others brings out our jealousy. Although the first two servants have received and doubled large sums, their faithful trading is regarded by the master as fidelity in small matters only, compared with the great responsibilities now to be given to them. (Note: dealing with money is small matters.) We shouldn’t look upon their wealth with envy except to note that they were more likely to risk everything to get closer to God.

Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. The person who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. Some risk is inevitably involved just as when you open your door or your wallet to the stranger in need. God gives further gifts (understanding, grace, happiness) to those who accept Him. From the ones who do not accept God, He will take away the gifts provided.

Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. The kingdom of heaven is like the journey described by Matthew. Faithful use of one's gifts will lead to participation in the fullness of the kingdom. Lazy inactivity, burying your gifts or hiding them under a bushel basket will lead to exclusion from the kingdom. Our inactivity, especially in terms of faith and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, is not negligible but seriously culpable. As punishment for inaction, we can lose the gifts we received.

Action

Can you give yourself reminders to avoid these traps and to do what is expected of a good and faithful servant?

On the Cursillo Weekend experience, we are introduced to the service sheet and encouraged to write down our plans for the week, month and year. If we set goals and track our progress toward accomplishing these ends, then we have a better chance of success. Just like New Year’s Resolutions.

What will you do in the next week to put into practice the cardinal virtue and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy? Write down your plans and share them with your Group Reunion. Then, let them know how much progress you have made the next week.

List them on your calendar. Enter the list on your Blackberry. Create an Outlook task item and don’t check it off each week until you are done.