Wow, were has this year gone? We are finishing the “Ordinary Time” of the liturgical year, and only a slight 10 days till the start of another liturgical year with the start of Advent. Only 38 days till CHRIST- mas. Are you ready?
†
Congratulations to Archbishop Timothy Dolan, on his election as head of the USCCB. An excellent choice was made by our countries other shepherds.
Today in Catholic History:
† 594 – Death of Gregory of Tours, bishop and historian (b. c.539)
† 1231 – Death of Elisabeth of Hungary (Third Order Franciscan), daughter of Andrew II of Hungary (b. 1207)
† 1302 – Death of St. Gertrude the Great (b. 1256)
† 1576 – Birth of Roque Gonzales de Santa Cruz, Paraguayan Jesuit missionary (d. 1628)
† 1681 – Birth of Pierre François le Courayer, Catholic French theologian and writer (d. 1776)
† 1928 – Notre Dame finally loses a football game after nearly 25 years of straight wins. In 2009, some believe they lost their Catholic identity as well.
Feast Days: Elisabeth of Hungary; Gregory of Tours; Hilda of Whitby; Hugh of Lincoln; Acisclus(From the “On This Day” Blog Site
otday.wordpress.com) &/OR
“Today in Catholic History”
http://www.historyorb.com)
Quote or Joke of the Day:
Exercise daily — walk with the Lord
http://www.thebricktestament.com
Today’s reflection is about being a trusted, faithful, and productive servant of God.
11 While they were listening to him [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. 12 So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 13 He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ 14 His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ 15 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. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ 17 He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ 18 Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ 19 And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ 20 Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ 22 He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; 23 why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ 24 And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ 25 But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ 26 ‘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. 27 Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'” 28 After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. (NAB Luke 19:11-28)
Disciples MUST take risks in following our “King:” Jesus Christ,- – the “Messiah,” – – in His footsteps and on His path to salvation with eternal life in paradise!! There is no “SAFE” position on this aspect of Faith. The only path is to take risks! How does this “prophetic statement” make you feel? This reading today needs to be interpreted in its own context: What is to be given to Jesus, the King?
In today’s Gospel, Luke is combining two very distinct parables: (1) a parable about the conduct of faithful and productive servants and (2) a story about a rejected king. A very similar story about the conduct of servants also occurs (in another fashion) in Matthew 25:14-20.
The story about the rejected king might have stemmed from a historical event that occurred at that period in time. After the death of Herod the Great (who ordered the slaughter of the children in the infancy narratives), his son Archelaus had to travel to Rome in order to receive the title of “King.” A delegation of Jews, resolute that he not be their new king, travelled to, and appeared before Caesar Augustus, in Rome, in order to oppose the request of Archelaus. Although not given the official title of “king,” Archelaus was made “ruler” over all of Judea and Samaria (which includes the city of Jerusalem).
The Jews in Jesus’ time had a heightened sense that the Messiah would appear and usher in the kingdom of God on the earth. In His teachings, Jesus often spoke in messianic and prophetic language about the coming supremacy of God. Luke uses today’s story to supply a correction to the widely held expectation of the imminent end of the age and of the establishment of the kingdom in Jerusalem (see Luke 19:11 – covered in depth in my previous blog).
Jesus is not on his way to Jerusalem to receive the power of a king. There is to be no spectacular “manifestation” of the kingdom of God magically appearing before all eyes in Jerusalem. For the manifestation of God’s kingdom to happen, Jesus must leave His “land;” and then only after returning from a “distant” place will reward and judgment take place (what a ‘poetic’ reference to the Parousia). What is being offered by Jesus – – the “King” – – instead is dedication, persistence, and faithfulness, obedient to His Father’s will!
The “they” in verse 11 not only includes Jesus’ follows and admirers, but also His opponents. Jesus wanted all, even those opposed to Him, to know that at issue in this lesson was how one should use their material possessions in response to the advent of Jesus’ in their lives.
Jesus is the representation appearing as the “King” in the story line today. The people, religious leaders, and disciples all respond differently to Jesus as “King.” The people are anxiously awaiting the Messiah promised in scripture of old. The religious leaders were adamant that Jesus not be looked upon as the Messiah, the “King”! And finally, the followers of Jesus are at least suspicious of him, while others are well aware of the true nature of Jesus.
The ten gold coins from verse 13 literally denote “ten minas.” A mina was a monetary unit that in ancient Greece was equivalent to one hundred drachmas. So, in doing the “biblical” math, these ten coins mentioned in today’s reading equaled one thousand (1000) days wages. (Wow – nearly three years worth of pay!) But – and a big BUT, – this story IS NOT about investment banking!! It is entirely about spiritual gifts and talents, and how we must share them!
Jesus taught in regards to their desire for a “new kingdom” in this story of a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom. The parable reveals something important about how God’s salvation plan, how He brings about the plan, and our purpose in His plan. It opens with the nobleman’s trust in his subjects. He leaves them with a large sum of money to use as they think best. He TRUSTED them with his property. Though there were no strings attached, he was obviously testing them to see if they would be faithful and reliable in their use of the money that was entrusted to them. Finally, the nobleman, now a new “King” with his return from a distant land, rewards those who are faithful and punishes those who sit by idly and do nothing with his money.
God gives His kingdom to those who are ready to receive His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ in a very personal way. God trusts us with His gifts and graces. He gives us the freedom (freewill) to use them as we think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient grace, resources, and power for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of “the talents” (in an earlier reading) shows, God loathes apathy, lack of interest, and coldness with His graces, gifts, and talents that He has imparted to us.
God admires, respects, and awards those of us who use their talents, gifts, and graces for doing His work joyfully and willfully. “Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more!” Sounds like my old boss; “You did such a great job, here are three more things for you to do!”) But for those who chose to neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them – – they will lose what they have. (“YOUR FIRED” – literally if you can excuse the prophetic pun.)
There is an important lesson here for all of us to learn! Not one of us can be apathetic, stationary, or inactive in being a Catholic. We either chose to participate and get more, or we become lax and lose what we have now AND in the future! We either follow Jesus on our (and His) path to eternity in paradise or we follow on the much easier and carefree path to eternal torment. Which path do you want to take? Do you TRUST in God’s grace? Do you make good use of the gifts and talents God has already given to you? Finally, do you share these gifts and talents?
Our King (Jesus the CHRIST) is overflowing in the bounty He promises. Acceptance of God’s rule over oneself is a great moment of decision for us. Unfortunately, some decide not to accept what our King Jesus brings in plenty for all of us. Jesus has the important, decisive, and critical role in regard to all of our destinies; He determines our “life” and “death!” I bow to Him lovingly, gracefully, and gratefully!!
“Prayer for the Sanctification of Labor”
“O God, the creator of all things, you framed the law of labor for the human race. Graciously grant, by the example and patronage of St. Joseph, that we may do the work you provide us and earn the reward you promise. Sustain us with your grace to live up to our duties in charity and justice. Amen.”
Pax et Bonum
Dan Halley, SFO
*****
A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day: St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
In her short life Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of
penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.
At the age of 14 Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia (a German principality), whom she deeply loved; she bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land, who came to her gate.
After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and she was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.
In 1228 Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of St. Francis. Elizabeth’s health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.
Comment:
Elizabeth understood well the lesson Jesus taught when he washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper: The Christian must be one who serves the humblest needs of others, even if one serves from an exalted position. Of royal blood, Elizabeth could have lorded it over her subjects. Yet she served them with such a loving heart that her brief life won for her a special place in the hearts of many. Elizabeth is also an example to us in her following the guidance of a spiritual director. Growth in the spiritual life is a difficult process. We can play games very easily if we don’t have someone to challenge us or to share experiences so as to help us avoid pitfalls.
Quote:
“Today, there is an inescapable duty to make ourselves the neighbor of every individual, without exception, and to take positive steps to help a neighbor whom we encounter, whether that neighbor be an elderly person, abandoned by everyone, a foreign worker who suffers the injustice of being despised, a refugee, an illegitimate child wrongly suffering for a sin of which the child is innocent, or a starving human being who awakens our conscience by calling to mind the words of Christ: ‘As long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me’ (Matthew 25:40)” (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 27, Austin Flannery translation).
Patron Saint of: Bakers
Saint of the Day: Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.;
revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.
(From http://www.americancatholic.org website)
Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Rule #’s 17 & 18 of 26:
In their family they should cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life, striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ.
By living the grace of matrimony, husbands and wives in particular should bear witness in the world to the love of Christ for His Church. They should joyfully accompany their children on their human and spiritual journey by providing a simple and open Christian education and being attentive to the vocation of each child.
Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,” and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.
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