November 16, 2014: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Agree to do three acts of kindness this week. (Photo: Sister Rebecca greets volunteers in the Community Supported Agriculture garden at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice with a handshake.)

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.

After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.'” (Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21)

Reflection:

Several years ago there was a popular movie called Pay It Forward in which a student develops a system to spread love for his class project. After each act of kindness, he asks the recipients to “pay it forward” to three people, and these favor-receivers in turn pay three acts of kindness forward to others.

This Sunday’s gospel is about “paying it forward.”
By use of parable, Jesus is telling us how much God loves us and desires us to share this love.
(One talent in today’s economy is equivalent to about one million dollars!) A servant is given five talents! The servant in turn doubles the amount, which makes the master so happy, he gives this servant more.

Action:

This week try “paying it forward,” sharing an act of kindness with three people. Ask each recipient to “pay it forward.”