Dear Friend,
Last weekend’s special “Slow Mass” reminded us that the Sunday Eucharist brings to life our baptisms by offering us the chance to be people continually and radically transformed by the gift of God’s love that is made manifest in Christ.
In a stroke of excellent timing, this week’s Gospel text has Jesus challenging us with a vivid parable/picture of the difference between transformation and NO transformation: on the one hand, the servants who faithfully go out into the world and do something profitable with what their master has entrusted to them; and on the other, the servant paralyzed by fear, who digs a hole and buries his “talent.”
Last week’s special Mass also told us that the responsorial psalm gives us a “golden thread” that ties the readings together. Note this week’s psalm: Blessed are those who fear the Lord. This fear is NOT the paralyzing sort (which carries no blessing!), but rather the fear that is deep reverence and awe at the bold and unconditional trust that the divine master places in those to whom he entrusts his love. This is the fear of the Lord practiced by the “worthy wife” (also translated as valiant woman!) of the first reading, who receives the gift of the husband’s heart (love) and models for all generations what Wisdom looks like.
Each year, in collaboration with the Pastoral Council and Finance Council I offer a Stewardship report to all parishioners. Please pick up a copy after Mass next weekend. The report gives a picture of generous gifts received and gifts faithfully shared over the last year. We are gifted and we are aimed at transformation in ourselves and in our world. What do you see as you look it over? Let me know. I need your wisdom to fill out the picture!
Gratefully,
Father Dan ofm, Pastor