This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul cautions us that the day of our accounting before the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. The children of the night, of darkness, will be caught unprepared, asleep; the children of light, of the day, by contrast, will be ready.
Jesus talks about that day of reckoning in the gospel. It can be perhaps a bit frightening to realize that it will not be enough merely to have avoided sin to enter the Kingdom of God. We actually have to produce something through the investment of our talents. Having produced is what readiness for the Lord’s coming means.
So, what does fruitfulness mean? The word talent is used: Do we need to develop our talents for athletics, music, art, learning, etc. to the maximum in view of that day? Many do this, but are not on the path to which Jesus refers.
Let’s look at the ideal disciple of Jesus, the Virgin Mary. How did she embody today’s gospel? She did not focus on the development of all her human potential in terms of skill development. She simply looked to give herself fully to the will of God: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” She was conscious of the exalted nature of her mission, but most of her activities and days were quite ordinary.
What are the talents to which Jesus refers? The greatest gifts we have are the faculties of our soul, our intelligence and will. These come in different shapes and sizes, just like the different numbers of talents in the gospel. But whatever our inventory, this is what we are called to give to God and to His will every day, by which they are sure to bear fruit. We are to give Him our freedom wholeheartedly with our will. We are to give our intellect to His truth. If we do this, it does not matter how spectacular our activities or achievements in the world’s view. Also, it doesn’t matter if we die with our “talents” (potential for developing skills) not fully tapped in this or that area. God will bring fruit for souls, as He did with the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Thus it is that in the first reading, the value of a virtuous wife is extolled. It’s not about whether she sits home weaving flax or succeeds as a Fortune 500 CEO. Either of these is of equal value if she undertakes it in virtuous, loving obedience to God’s will. And the same goes for husbands, for men.
“Seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Mt. 6:33)
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Reflect on the most mundane activities in your life, as well as the most stimulating and interesting stuff of your dreams. Place them at the feet of Jesus and ask Him the value He places on each. Ask Him to help you dwell in His Heart and His will through your daily gift of self renewed in your moments of contemplative prayer, so that your gift of self opens the door for Him to bear the fruit He wants in so many souls.
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