Sunday Gospel Reflection, November 15, 2026: Well done, my good and faithful servant!

 

Well done, my good and faithful servant!
What do we do with the gifts we have been given? 

    When the author of the Book of Proverbs devotes several verses to describing a worthy wife, it is not immediately evident that the text is in fact written to a young man who is being trained by the queen mother, so that he might cultivate healthier relationships with women and with society. The wife described here is personified Wisdom; her husband entrusts his heart to her, walking the journey side by side with her. Lady Wisdom herself trusts in the Lord and, as a result, is a priceless partner, a woman of many gifts, and an unfailing prize whose value is far beyond pearls. Like her, the young man is called to trust in the Lord, accepting his gifts, that he too might appreciate God’s power in his life and allow God to work through him to accomplish much and to live in right relationship with God and with other. Psalm 128 describes in detail the reward for such a virtuous life, which is virtue itself! Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. The pilgrim on this journey walks with God, embracing the Lord’s presence in his life. 

    In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is similarly focused upon the gifts he has bestowed on his disciples and the use they will make of them as they go out into the world to spread the good news. In the parable of the talents, each servant is given money, trust, and the time to accomplish something with what they have been given. The master wants them to succeed and deals with each according to his ability. Unfortunately, the third servant, who received only one talent, does not live up to his potential. Acting out of fear, he buries his master’s money, refusing to take a risk, remaining immobile rather than trusting in his master’s confidence in him.

    God plants in all of us the ability to open our hearts, but we have to go out and do something with the gifts we are given. Fear often keeps us from doing what we know the Lord wants us to do. When fear drives us, it’s often hard to choose Christ. Paul knows the Thessalonians have managed just this: they do not live in fear because they are children of the light, ready to welcome the Lord when he comes again, living in right relationship, hearts open to all God has been accomplishing in their lives. Are we? 

This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture Class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com