Good and profitable stewards

Sisters and brothers in Christ, we are stewards of the many gifts that God has given us - our life, our time, our talents, and our treasures. Are we good and profitable stewards of God's gifts to us? Do we use those gifts for God's glory, to serve Him and our neighbors? Or, like do we cling on to what God has given us and do nothing with the gifts? These are all questions that we should ask ourselves as we reflect on today's Gospel.

Last night, in his homily for the Mass of Saint Albert the Great feast day, Fr. Charlie said that that parishioners should strive to live out the attributes and virtues of the parish's namesake saint. For instance, Saint Albert is known as a great teacher (one of his students was Saint Thomas Aquinas); therefore, Saint Albert parishioners should strive not only to learn about their faith but teach it to others as well. Parishioners have a tremendous resource in Discipleship U to do just what and many have answered the call, learning about their faith first and then teaching their faith to others.

As we prepare ourselves for the end of the liturgical year, with the Solemnity of Christ the King this Sunday, let us reflect on how we have used God's gifts of time, talents, and treasures in our lives for God's glory. For those of us who are no longer participating in active ministries, we can still help our own family grow in their faith.

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Gospel of the Day

While people were listening to 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.

So he said,

“A nobleman went off to a distant country

to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.

He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins

and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’

His fellow citizens, however, despised him

and sent a delegation after him to announce,

‘We do not want this man to be our king.’

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.

The first came forward and said,

‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’

He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!

You have been faithful in this very small matter;

take charge of ten cities.’

Then the second came and reported,

‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’

And to this servant too he said,

‘You, take charge of five cities.’

Then the other servant came and said,

‘Sir, here is your gold coin;

I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,

for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;

you take up what you did not lay down

and you harvest what you did not plant.’

He said to him,

‘With your own words I shall condemn you,

you wicked servant.

You knew I was a demanding man,

taking up what I did not lay down

and harvesting what I did not plant;

why did you not put my money in a bank?

Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’

And to those standing by he said,

‘Take the gold coin from him

and give it to the servant who has ten.’

But they said to him,

‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’

He replied, ‘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.

Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,

bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this,

he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.