Newsletter – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

In the parable that Jesus tells in today’s Gospel, the master praises the efforts of the first two servants, who used the talents they were given and improved upon them. The master criticises the action of the third servant, who hid the talent, did nothing, and was paralyzed with fear.

When have you been like the first and second servants, using your talents in a way that benefits yourself and others?

When have you been like the third servant, not using your talents and not bringing benefit to yourself or others?

The last few lines of this Gospel passage might seem to contradict Jesus’ usual message about the last being first. This passage appears to be saying that the first will be even further ahead, and the last will be left behind.

Is this contradiction troubling to you? Why or why not? How do you see it?

When Jesus speaks of the first becoming last and the last becoming first, he is usually speaking of humility and boastfulness. Those who pump themselves up are usually just full of hot air. Why would Jesus say that the humble ones are really the great ones?

When Jesus speaks of the rich ones getting more, and the poor ones losing what they have, he is speaking in terms of laziness and activity. Those who act in a lazy way usually become more lazy, and they lose any initiative they once had. What kind of activity is Jesus encouraging us to do?

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