Daily Readings - Sun Nov 19 2017

First Reading - Proverbs 31.10-13, 16-18, 20, 26, 28-31

¹⁰Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price¹¹The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils¹²She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life¹³She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands¹⁶She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard¹⁷She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm¹⁸She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night²⁰She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor²⁶She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue²⁸Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her²⁹Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all³⁰Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised³¹Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates

Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 5

¹But concerning dates and times, brothers, you do not need us to write to you²For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night³For when they will say, "Peace and security!" then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape⁴But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief⁵For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness⁶Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober

Gospel - Matthew 25.14-15, 19-21

Matthew

Chapter 25

¹⁴For it is like a man setting out on a long journey, who called his servants and delivered to them his goods¹⁵And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, yet to another he gave one, to each according to his own ability. And promptly, he set out¹⁹Yet truly, after a long time, the lord of those servants returned and he settled accounts with them²⁰And when he who had received five talents approached, he brought another five talents, saying: ‘Lord, you delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have increased it by another five.²¹His lord said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Since you have been faithful over a few things, I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the gladness of your lord.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of faithfulness, preparedness, and virtuous living. The first reading from Proverbs 31 portrays the ideal wife, not just as a domestic figure, but as a symbol of virtue and industry. Her actions are guided by wisdom, compassion, and strength, making her a blessing to her family and community. This passage is part of the wisdom literature, offering insights into a life well-lived, characterized by integrity and care for others. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to the unexpected nature of the Lord's return. Paul urges believers to remain vigilant and not be caught off guard, emphasizing the importance of spiritual preparedness. This eschatological passage reminds us that our faith is not just for the present but also for the future, calling us to live with purpose and responsibility. The Gospel from Matthew, the parable of the talents, reinforces the theme of stewardship. Jesus teaches that each of us is given gifts and resources, and we are expected to use them wisely and faithfully. The servants who invest their talents responsibly are praised, while the one who buries his talent is reprimanded. This parable challenges us to reflect on how we use our gifts and talents for the greater good. These readings connect through their emphasis on living with intention and responsibility. Whether through virtuous living, spiritual preparedness, or faithful stewardship, they call us to a life of purpose and integrity. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to use our talents wisely, live with compassion, and remain vigilant in our faith. May we be inspired to live in such a way that we are found faithful when the Lord returns. Let us embrace the call to live virtuously, prepared for whatever comes, and faithful in all that we do.