Gifts and Responsibilites.

Finding the gift of true Wisdom is like finding a worthy wife, the wise author of Proverbs says. Her value is beyond pearls. Nothing can match her, she is more precious than gold. She is deep understanding and grace. She is compassionate, for a heart has been entrusted to her and she brings delight and goodness to that heart. She provides for those who love her and she reaches out to those who know her not. She is truly a gift from God.

 We experience that worldly beauty is fleeting, it is like life itself, a line drawn on water. We know that easy charm can be deceptive. Used carelessly, it is a strategy rather than a virtue. But, there is beauty that is not passing, a charm that is not cheap.  This beauty encompass and enlivens. It pours out as self-gift. It is good and just. It is a love that stands the test. It is a love that asks for nothing in return, but to love.

 But, there is also the greatest gift, that first came in the incarnation, the savior of the world and will come again, like a thief in the night, to judge the living and the dead. Our Lord will return, but the hour is unknown. The Holy Spirit, the gift Jesus left us, as his peace, waits in joyful expectation for whom who sent it. And in that same Spirit (received in baptism) we wait, searching the horizon for the coming of Our Lord.

 As the Holy Spirit is a gift from Jesus, Faith and Hope, are gifts from the Spirit.

 And like Wisdom, or a good wife, these gifts must be held dear, cherished and protected.

Because, it is in Faith and Hope that the Church waits, alert and always joyful.

We do not sit inactive and passive, huddled in darkness, but we prepare in joy and haste and we act in the light.

We are not idle. A living faith demands action.  Hope encourages action. And Love infuses action. We wait, but how do we wait. That is the question.

 We have heard in scripture how the unscrupulous servant had to act quickly and decisively because the master was returning and there would be an accounting. Last Sunday we heard the parable of five foolish virgins who were not prepared for the coming of the bridegroom and so were left outside the banquet hall. But, there were five wise virgins, who kept lamps lit, and so were ready to receive the bridegroom.

 

Today we hear of the master who is going away. He gives three servants, each according to his ability, portions of his wealth to manage. One servant receives five talents. He invests them and doubles their worth. When the master, returns he is well pleased and the industrious servant is invited to share the master’s joy. Another servant (apparently less able) receives two talents, invests them, doubles their worth and he too is invited to share the master’s joy. The last servant (apparently the least able of the three) receives one talent. But, he is hesitant, worried about losing the master’s treasure. He fears the master’s wrath. He buries the talent rather than risk losing it.  Upon return, the master scolds him for his inaction. The one talent is taken away (leaving him nothing) and given to the one who had doubled the value of the five. Not only that, but this servant is tossed out into the darkness.

 

This seems harsh. Like the last minute quest who came when others refused, but was not appropriately dress and was punished for it. Why, we might ask? In today’s Gospel each servant is given a responsibility according to their ability. So the one who revived more was more talented, and capable then the one who received less.  So did the servant who received the least, really do less than his ability? Less then what the master expected? Apparently so.

 It is a demonstration two points: one that we do not need to go looking for gifts! We have been given them and it is up to use to use them wisely. And two, that in the eyes of God, all gifts are equal from the most grand to the humblest. it is not about amount of ability, talent or treasure, that matters. It is about using, wisely, to the best of our ability what has been given us. This is about productive waiting.

 Our Lord, has gone on a journey. He will return, though we know not the day or hour. He has left us with the Holy Spirit; the gift of true wisdom; our Faith, Hope and Love. We have all be given something. Wither large or small it does not matter. We have been given the responsibility to protect, cherish and use, for the good of others, (and for all of creation) these and all gifts, from God.

Protect them, yes, but not to bury them. It is assumed (in fact, it is part of the gift itself) that we will increase them. Each according to their ability, understanding, and circumstances.  The servant who revived one talent was not expected to increase it to ten. But, he was expected to increase it. He was expected to do something positive with it. Like the poor widow who could only give a little it would be more than enough.

  It is only by actively living our faith that we fulfill what is asked of us. It is only in doing love that we increase the breadth and depth of the Kingdom of God, here and now. We have been given much and we have been given the opportunity do much more. So we will be held responsible and accountable for what have done or not done.

When Our Lord returns, and return he will, we will simply be measured by the Love we have shown. And the only question we must ask ourselves now is – will we be called to stand on the right or left of Our Lord. Will we be called to share in our master’s joy.