2020-11-15 _ 33 Sunday ● Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 ● Psalm 128 ● 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 ● ● + Matthew 25:14-30 ●
Title: Daily Double
[_01_] There is a very specific design feature or device that separates
“Jeopardy” from other game shows or quiz shows on TV.
Jeopardy is an American TV game show/quiz show. Perhaps,
Jeopardy has been on your “radar screen” or TV screen, given that the famous
host of Jeopardy – Alex Trebek – recently died.
And, on Jeopardy, Alex gives a statement which is also the “answer”
to a question. The players must respond in the form of a question.
For example: “This
is the hometown of the NASA astronauts who are twin brothers, Mark Kelly an Scott
Kelly.”
You respond: “Where is West Orange, New Jersey.”
For example: “He is the basketball NBA player with the most
MVP awards.”
And, you would say: “Who is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?” (Michael
Jordan has 2nd most).
[_02_] So, the players on Jeopardy are given an “ANSWER” and they must
respond with a question.
Recently, I read that Jesus’ parables are not just symbolic
stories with a symbolic message. While there are symbols, they are also puzzles
to be solved.
[_03_] Jesuit Father James McPolin, S.J. wrote this about the parables:
“Jesus sometimes ends a parable with these words: ‘Let anyone with
ears listen,’ meaning, ‘There you are. You’ve heard it. Now try to understand
it.’ [Jesus ] He allows the people to discover the message. It is a vote of
confidence in human beings. He thinks we have enough intelligence to discover
from the things of life the meaning of the things of God. [Jesus] does not
spoonfeed us.” (Source: CatholicIreland.Net)
If Alex Trebek were here, he would give this Jeopardy “statement”: “Jesus used a method of teaching that
challenged his listeners not only to absorb information but also to increase
their desire to hear and know more.”
And, you would say: “What are the parables?” And you win, say, $600. Good job!
[_04_] But, more important than money is that with the Gospel,
something has been entrusted to you and to me.
Let’s turn away from Alex Trebek to St. Paul who gives this
“answer”: “God proved his love for us
[in this action] in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
And, you would say,
“What is the Passion,
Death and Resurrection?”
What is the atonement?
Of course, this is not just about money.
[_05_] It is about our lives, our future. Because if Christ died for us while we are
still sinners, then we have value.
It’s not about the money, but about the mercy.
Knowing that mercy is the answer, what will I do – what
will you do – with what has been entrusted to us?
Now, that I have the answer, will I go and ask the questions
of my life and what I may need to change or consider.
[_06_] Bishop Robert Barron reflected on this parable, saying that the
talents given to the 3 servants are not so much monetary assets, nor are they
personal capabilities, but the talents are a share in the mercy of God, a
participation in divine love.
It is coincidental – even accidental – that “talent” had this
ancient meaning as a monetary unit of measuring gold and – today “talent” has a
modern meaning as personal aptitude or intelligence.
But, the point is not that we “trade” or make money based
on our talents. The talent signifies God’s mercy and this mercy is meant to be
shared.
The parable of the talents is a puzzle, like “Final
Jeopardy”.
[][][]
But, since mercy is always directed to another person,
these talents are designed to be shared. In point of fact, they will ↑↑↑
increase in the measure they are given away.
(CatholicWorldReport.com,
November 14, 2020 Link: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/09/22/the-deeper-meaning-of-the-parable-of-the-talents/)
[_07_] Consider what happens at the end of the
Jeopardy game show. There are 3 contestants. And, there are 3 contestants in
the parable.
[][][]
[_08_] At the end of a Jeopardy game show, there are 3 contestants, all
of whom are challenged to answer the same question – or puzzle – and they are
also asked to “risk” or “wager” some of the money they have accumulated.
And, we are called to risk – to wager – God’s mercy.
Mercy also means doing what we are called to do. Following
the commandments is not just about doing what is mandatory, but also what is
merciful.
Considering the Christian view about the protection of life
at all stages, what we must do to protect the life of an unborn child. Yes, this is true, but it’s also based on
mercy. So also, to preserve and protect the life of someone who is sick or
dying.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also been blessed by the
bravery, courage of 1st responders, police, firefighters, nurses,
physicians who have followed their duty doing what is expected of them. But,
this was not just a mandatory order but a call to mercy. Blessed are the
merciful for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7)
[_09_] Many years ago, I
recall a family disagreement between my mother and me. Of course, it turned out
that my mother was correct and I was wrong.
On that summer day, I returned to the house to apologize –
admit my fault. My mother was glad to see me but did not need a long statement
of sorrow to patch things up.
It just so happened that on that June summer day, there was
World Cup Soccer on TV. While my mother is not a huge sports fan, she does like
World Cup Soccer. We sat down and watched a game.
To this day, I associate World Cup Soccer with that moment
of mercy and connection, with the mercy that had increased in my account.
Coincidentally, that happened about a week after I was
ordained a priest and a week before I started my first assignment as a priest.
So, I had to ask myself – am I going to be merciful in my
life as a priest. I still have to ask myself this question.
[_10_] Now, I will say
that in that moment, I realized the mercy was being directed toward me. I was
treated with mercy and entrusted with mercy.
The “balance” in my account had increased.
But it was not because I was so “talented” or “skilled” or
“capable” that I had come up with the perfect apology.
Mercy is not something we earn, but a gift we receive.
[_11_] But, have we not –
have I not – been forgiven of faults by people who disagreed with me, or
thought I was wrong, or forgiven by those whom I did not know I had hurt or
trespassed against.
This is mercy in our account.
This is talent-monetary
value we are called to risk each day.
[_12_] Being merciful is
not the same as being kind or agreeable or flexible.
I have been shown mercy by those who told me what I did not
want to hear.
I have received God’s mercy by the blessing of others
correcting me, telling me when I am wrong.
I have experienced God’s mercy by the blessing of others
encouraging me to try, to work, when I might want to give up.
All of these things are spiritual risks, “daily doubles” we
take each day.
We are also called to support each other in acts of mercy. It’s
not just an individual who is called to be identified as “merciful”, but so
also a family, a married couple, friends who are called to support each other
in acts of mercy.
We are also not using our own money, but rather trading
with God’s mercy in our account.
The “contestants” in the parable are able to double what they
have.
It has to do with our final hope of heaven, our destiny.
And, it leads to – and challenges us – as we receive the
Body and Blood which builds up and changes us.
This is the answer, but it’s not easy. But it is our destiny. It is
about the answer of God’s love for us that enables us to ask questions and
learn more.
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