Category: Daily Reflections

“He called in his servants and handed his funds over to them according to each man’s abilities.” –Matthew 25:14 Today’s Gospel reading is often used to bring up the theme of stewardship, which is supposedly giving our “time, treasures, and talents” to the Lord and His Church. This is a rather tame idea of stewardship compared to the Biblical concept. First of all, today’s Gospel reading is about three slaves, not servants. (“Servants” is a watered-down translation.) Slaves don’t just give their time, treasure, and talents to their owners; they give their whole lives and give up their freedom as...

“The foolish ones said to the sensible, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our torches are going out.’ But the sensible ones replied, ‘No.’ ” –Matthew 25:8-9 Some things cannot be shared, no matter how much we might wish to share them. If a man has worked for years to reach peak physical condition, he cannot bestow his strength and endurance on someone else who asks for it. He can share his exercise regimen and dietary plan with another, but he cannot pass on his discipline and commitment to get in shape. That prime physical condition can only be attained...

“You must be prepared in the same way.” –Matthew 24:44 Since we “cannot know the Day [Jesus] is coming” (Mt 24:42), we must prepare to be ready to meet Him today and “settle with” Him (Mt 24:51). The Corinthians showed their preparedness by waiting “for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:7). We must also be prepared for the possibility that He might come back in a short time, for example, in a year. This means we must spread the Word of God with urgency just as did St. Paul and the apostles (1 Cor 7:29, 31;...

“Make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you to His kingship and glory.” –1 Thessalonians 2:12 “Lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way” (Col 1:10). “Conduct yourselves, then, in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph 4:1). The Lord commands us to lead lives worthy of Him, the Gospel, and our calling. Will the Lord be able to declare the end of this day and the end of our lives “worthy”? Before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion,...

“The exhortation we deliver does not spring from deceit or impure motives.” –1 Thessalonians 2:3 The Lord, being all-knowing, “sees right through us.” “Nothing is concealed from Him; all lies bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must render an account” (Heb 4:13). He sees not only our secret thoughts (see Heb 4:12) but also our motives (see 1 Cor 4:5). The Lord is very concerned about our motives being pure (see 1 Thes 2:3). He insists that we give our lives purely, exclusively, completely, and wholeheartedly to Him. “The eyes of the Lord roam over...