'Tis the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirty-one, verses ten thru thirteen, nineteen, twenty, thirty, & thirty-one;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one & two, three, & four & five;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter five, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses fourteen thru thirty
(or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses fourteen, fifteen, nineteen, twenty, & twenty-one).
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today's Gospel gives us the challenging parable of the talents. A man goes on a journey, but before leaving he entrusts his money to three of his servants. To one he gives five talents, to a second, two, and to a third, one.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The first man trades with the five talents. The second does the same, and both receive a rich return on their investment. The third man cautiously buries his talent. When the owner returns, he praises the first two servants and gives them greater responsibilities, but the third man he upbraids.
Jesus loved to use examples drawn from the world of business. And he especially liked this dynamic of investment as a model of the spiritual life. The reason is clear, and I've said it to you often. God exists in gift form. Therefore, if you want his life in you, you have to learn to give it away. Think of the talents as everything that we've received from God—life, breath, being, powers. Because they come from God, they are meant to become gifts. If you cling to them, in the manner of the third servant, they don't grow; in fact, they wither away.
Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week 47
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Mass is not about whom you sit next to. It's not about which priest says Mass. It is not about what you wear or who is there. Mass is not about the music. It's not even about the preaching. It [is] about gathering as a community to give thanks to God for all the blessings he fills our lives with. It is about receiving the Body & Blood of Christ, not just physically, but spiritually. Perhaps you have been receiving the Eucharist physically every Sunday for your whole life. Next Sunday, prepare yourself, be conscious of the marvel, the wonder, the mystery, & receive spiritually.
Otherwise, 19 November would be the festival of Saint Egbert of York, Bishop (died 766, also spelt Ecgbert): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Mechtilde of Helfta, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 1241-1298, A.K.A. of Hackeborn), "The Nightingale of Helfta:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. St. Mechtilde served as the novice mistress of, & was a profound influence on, St. Gertrude the Great (16 November).
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giacomo Benefatti, Bishop, O.P. (died 1332, of Mantua; Anglecized as James Benefatti): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Saint Quote o' the Day
From "Heroes' Words" in 54-Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman:
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."
—St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (28 January)
A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
The Popish Plot—Saintly Sunday: "10 Easy Steps to Become a Saint!"
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