Daily Catholic Lectio
Sat, 31 August 2024
Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday
1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Matthew 25:14-30
Faithful in little things
In Biblical times, when a rich or noble person travelled to distant places, he would give away his wealth to his servants so that they might protect them. Jesus, using this example, drives home the message of the kingdom of heaven.
The master distributes talents – five, two, and one – to his servants. The criteria with which he evaluates his servants are not given. The servant who received one talent hid the talent, while the other two went to multiply them. The problem with the third servant is: (a) He has presumptions about his master. (b) He criticises his master. And (c) He is afraid that he may lose his talent – he suffers from the ‘loss aversion fallacy.’ As a result, he failed in his faithfulness in little things.
What are the lessons for us?
(a) We must be careful about our thoughts. For they may become reality.
(b) Faithfulness in little things leads faithfulness in great things – in snowball effect.
(c) Each one is expected to do his duty until the master comes.
What does this parable teach us about the kingdom of heaven?
(a) The master (Lord) does whatever he wills.
(b) The Lord raises the status of the servants to stewards.
(c) The Lord returns when we least expect him.
In the first reading, Saint Paul exhorts the Corinthian community to be mindful of their calling. Whatever calling we have received, whatever talent we have been entrusted with. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 187).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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