The readings for today speak of fraternal charity and developing into fullness the “talents” given us by God. I have had reason to reflect on the multiplication of gifts recently because of several joyful occasions to which we have been present. In a local parish, the community celebrated the completion of a major construction project. It will enable the parish to gather, to meet and hold events. The beauty of the center was the result of the parishioners’ time and devotion in union with the givenness of the pastor.
In another parish, the entire community celebrated the move to a new building. The facility had been paid for by the parishioners’ fundraising and then lovingly renovated by hours of volunteer work. There was joy in the celebration of space to grow and to breathe and to rejoice together and again; the pastor’s leadership was crucial to the success of this effort.
Finally, I attended a jubilee celebration. I was for 25 years of religious life given for a sister who serves in the Archdiocese. When she spoke briefly to the well-wishers, I was struck by her declaration that the Lord had done great things in her and for her. Also, her humility in presenting a life given over to Christ. A life that had borne fruits in 25 years of service to the Church.
We Can Participate
In a time when much of the news we get is painful to watch and hear, it is important to remember that there are many exemplars of fruitfulness. And new life all around us. Today’s readings call us to identify our gifts, especially the ones we have ignored. And to “trade” on them for the good of the Church and humanity. We need to avoid the mistake made by our friend in today’s parable, that of judging the opportunities given to us. And worse, discounting their author, who it is clear in Jesus’ message, is the Father. We must not give in to the “failure of imagination” described by commentator Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis. Like St. Augustine, whose assent to the faith led him to become one of the foremost doctors of the Church, we must be open to expanding our reach. Otherwise, we leave our capacity for growth in the “darkness outside,” when what we desire is to come inside and “share [our] master’s joy.” The exhortation from St. Paul is appropriate here: “Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters to progress even more, …and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.”
