Prov. 31:10 – 13, 19-20,30-31/Ps. 127:1-5/1Thess. 5:1-6/Matt. 25:14-30

The first reading taken from the Book of Proverbs gives us the description of a righteous, virtuous and good woman. This description of the virtuous woman is designed to show what wives (women) should make and what wives the men should choose. These verses from the last half of the last chapter of the book somewhat gives the criteria of the ideal wife. The author saw it that the part that a wise, prudent and industrious wife plays in a man’s life, and hence in the life of the nation, deserves to be stressed and admired.

Beloved, this description of a virtuous and righteous woman, who is respected and honoured by everyone is actually not just limited to that of a woman, but is a way for the Lord to tell us that the same attitude and behaviours are also expected of every one of us. As Christians, we are expected to do what is right, be virtuous, good, and seen doing the will of God. This is necessary because we live in times where virtues for either men and women have become diluted or even lost.  

Paul in the second reading advices the Thessalonians ‘Encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing’. That ministry of mutual encouragement is as necessary today as it was in Paul’s time, especially when it comes to our following in the way of the Lord. This advice is a call on us too, because every one of us will be held accountable for whatever we have said, done and acted in our lives.

 In that parable, we heard of the actions of the three servants to whom their master bestowed each of them with five, two and one silver talents respectively.  We are told how the ones who were entrusted with five and two silver talents made good use of their silver talents when the master was away; they did invest their talents properly and did good with them such that when the master returned, their silver talents had doubled in amount.

On the other hand, the one who had been entrusted with one talent hid it until his master returned, and he returned the talent to his master as it was.

Beloved, the lesson for us here is that God values the initiatives and independence in us. If God has taken a risk in giving us such wonderful resources, he looks to us to take a risk in using what he has given us. He wants us to be courageous in working out of the graces that have been given to us.

And last of all the Lord has entrusted to us the treasure of the gospel. It is not to be hidden in the ground out of fear. Rather, we are to share this treasure of the gospel with each other, so that we may all become the person God is calling us to be.

Dear Friends, fear stifles growth and can hinder us from fully embracing the opportunities that come to us. To grow in life, we must be ready to step out of our comfort zone to take that calculated risk. Fear can sometimes prevent us from doing the good that we are capable of doing. It can be fear of failure or of what others will think of us or perhaps even an unhealthy fear of God.

So, as we each try to share that treasure of the gospel in our own way, let us offer a hand of encouragement to those who need a bit of encouragement to place the gifts the Lord has given them at the disposal of others.