Jesus offers a parable about servants who have been given resources by their master. The passage reminds us that we have all been blessed with opportunities to serve the Lord, and everyday we have a chance to act upon them.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 33rd Week of the Year (St. Cecilia)
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mass Readings – 33rd Sunday of the Year
The Gospel reading makes it clear that all of us will be judged according to what we have been given in this life. Our invitation? To take stock of the gifts and talents we have and make something special for the glory of God.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Whatever our shape or size, age or ability, we all have gifts that God has placed within us. As we acknowledge our gifts may we use them to show our love for God and one another.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Recall a time when you were entrusted with power. How did you use it?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance over the things and situations in your control right now.
Serve: How can you help someone who is struggling with a decision of leadership? How can you offer solid support?
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
Take a look at the keys in your pocket. As you hold them, think about what they do:
Keys allow us access and empower us with authority. Keys give us control over our physical world and they help us to use resources wisely and well. They are also symbols that speak to identity and purpose – just think about what happens when our keys are lost or taken from us….
In the first reading and the Gospel today we discover the power of God’s keys:
These promises to Eliakim and St. Peter are mighty – they will receive the power, authority,and responsibility from God lead and guide. Consider these three points:
Power: they receive the strength and ability to carry out the work entrusted to them. Power gives them resources and skills to accomplish great things. Without power they are weak; with God’s power they can do more than they ever dreamed possible.
Authority: these keys are a sign of leadership and respect. The keys they possess allow them to direct and command others. Those who hold the keys are followed; those who hold the keys stand before us and provide wisdom, insight, and vision.
Responsibility: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48b) With great power comes great responsibility, and those who have been given strength and ability are required to use it with wisdom. Indeed, having the keys of Authority are a burden to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and trust.
Again, look at the keys in your pocket. How do we use them? Today we might consider the gifts and talents God has given us: we have an opportunity at this moment to exercise our own power and authority with God’s guidance, knowing that one day the Lord will seek an accounting with what we have done.
May our own keys inspire us to live with conviction and direction – using the resources we have received with the insights offered by our faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord is the source of all keys, may we call upon him to help us use them!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Note: This post was originally published on August 18, 2014.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 33rd Week of the Year
In the Gospel parable Christ reminds us that we are called to use our gifts wisely and well, for one day we will be asked how we put them into practice.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
All that we have comes from the Lord: our life and all our blessings that are so easy to take for granted. Yet our daily response to serve the Lord shows not only our acknowledgement of God’s gifts, but it also reveals our awareness of our relationship to the Lord and and one another.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year
Three people were given gifts, but their responses were different – reminding us that while we all receive different blessings in this life, the Lord asks that we use them to the best of our ability.
Fr. Andrew’s 2nd Sunday of the Year Homily Podcast
At the wedding at Cana the Lord’s miracle of water to wine shows that God gives with quality and generosity. This notion of gift is picked up in Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians. These precious gifts – given by God – are meant to be used. Our invitation today: to acknowledge the good things Christ has given and put them into practice.
A quick shout out to my nieces and nephews who made my vacation so much fun and who shared their Scripture insights with me – that was a gift that I found truly precious!
Study: What particular gifts or talents do I possess? What comes naturally to me – that I am good at and enjoy doing?
Pray: Ask the Lord how you might be called or invited to share your skills and talents.
Serve: Look around. Where do you see an opportunity where you might make a unique contribution? How can you make a difference today with the time, talents, and skills that the Lord has given you?
I am fascinated watching people who enjoy using tools for work projects. Carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, craftsmen, and amateurs – all seem to derive great satisfaction using the right tool for a particular task.
Tools are interesting, allowing us to do work that we would be unable to achieve by our ability or skill. Three points surface when we talk about tools in a practical context:
1. Each has a specific function & task.
2. A tool often works in cooperation with others.
3. A tool is only good when it is used.
Simply put, tools have a purpose, and when they are used correctly for that purpose they provide meaning and aid. Tools enhance the quality of life, and they enable work that would not have otherwise been accomplished.
In the Scriptures today we discover that we are God’s tools, called to act in the world to help others in their time of need. The first reading uses direct action words (SHARE, CLOTHE, SHELTER) to show that God desires that we intentionally reach out to the people around us.
In the Gospel we are invited to let our actions shine so that others may see them and give glory to God. In this way our actions bring the love and power of Jesus Christ into the world; we become the Lord’s tools to spread the Good News.
Yet just as tools have different purposes, so to different people have unique abilities. With all our different skills and talents we can ask, “What kind of tool has the Lord made me to be?” This question helps us discover our special qualities.
Once we know what we have to offer, we can ask, “What can I do?” Every day we have opportunities to make the world a better place. Using our unique gifts we can bring Christ to one another.
A tool makes sense when it is used properly. We are made in God’s likeness to live the command of love. May we put our lives to work as we act with the abilities we possess. In this way our light will shine for all to see and give glory to Jesus Christ.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 