Priceless (2023-11-19, Sunday - 33rd)

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Homily file for November 19, 2023 /   33^rd Sunday     ● Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31● Psalm 128 ● 1 Thessalonians  5:1-6 ● Matthew 25:14-30 ● 

 Title:    Priceless

 [_01__]       In late December, years ago, my brother and his wife arrived at our house to stay for Christmas. They had come from California and arrived several days before 12/25. I remember – in those final “shopping days”, before Christmas, they went to the Macy’s / Old Navy at the mall, , every day – the December 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd …. They arrived before the doors opened. My sister-in-law said, “Your dad really likes to go shopping!” They were punctual partly because my father drove them there and really wanted a good parking space, and while all those trips signified something “material” and “monetary”, it also signified my father’s wish to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law … while getting a good parking space and doing some shopping.

           The memory of their trips to the mall has lasted much longer than the material things they bought.

 Jesus regards our attitudes about money as symbolic of our character. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21, Lk 12:33).

Where is your treasure? What is my treasure?

[_02__]  PARABLE

          In the parable we read that there is a distribution of TREASURE and of TALENTS – a different amount to each of 3 different servants.

          And, the word “talent” is not referring to skill or competency but rather to the actual weight of a precious metal such as silver.

          And, each servant receives a different measurement of silver or money.   And, that is similar to the regular everyday economy and world. Some people have more money, advantages, income, wealth.

          But, is the parable strictly about money?

          I am suggesting the parable is also about MERCY – some people have been forgiven more – have received mercy for truly serious sins and they are more indebted to God, feel more indebted to God than those with less serious sins.

          Do you remember an episode where Jesus goes to the home of Simon the Pharisee and meets a woman who is known to have a very sinful and broken past? This woman – a relative stranger in Simon’s house --  lavishes oil and washes Jesus’ feet. Meanwhile, Simon the Pharisee is not showing Jesus much attention.

          Their attitudes reflect an unequal distribution of God’s mercy. He who has been forgiven much loves much…but the one who has been forgiven….loves little.

          Simon the Pharisee is also unaware of his need for God’s forgiveness.

          The parable of the talents is reminding us that God has invested in all of us with his mercy, with the precious Body and Blood of his Son on the Cross.

          This is his mercy. We are called to share it with others.

 [_03__]  What is your attitude toward material things and money? How important are they to you?

          A TV commercial in the 1990’s – which was not religious – touched on this question of attitude. Do you recall the credit card commercial for MasterCard in which theme word is “PRICELESS”, and uses examples to depict what we would want to have for an important event.

          Let's say the “important event” is family reunion / Thanksgiving. And the TV commercial would recite a list of things that you would want to have::  new clothes $100, plane ticket to fly to New York  $200, food for Thanksgiving $400,  a camera to take the family photo: $200.  But, what is it worth to have a photo with 4 generations of adults and children … well, there is number. The photo is “priceless”

 

[_04__]  The mercy of God is also “priceless” – and essential to our lives.

2 of our traditionally Catholic works of mercy relevant for November – the month of All Souls is “bury the dead” and to “pray for the living and the dead.”

 

It is a work of mercy to “bury the dead” and pray for the dead which does not simply mean having an expensive funeral, but simply to pray, , to attend the funeral or send a Mass Card not only for the person whom you really liked and the family and friends you long to hang it with. What about going to the funeral or praying for the soul of someone by whom you were hurt or trespassed against?

This is a work of mercy to pray for the dead, for the deceased, for their eternal rest.

In this month of November as we anticipate Thanksgiving and remember our families – living and deceased - we can make wise investment choices in our own character and salvation and in praying for others as a work of mercy.

Why come to church?

Investing in this silence and silent prayer for mercy will help you to know what is truly in your conscience and how to communicate out loud, to communicate with those with whom you are struggling to love or care for or to forgive.

Your prayer will not change the other person but will change your heart.

Investing in forgiveness and humility will help you to be courageous and compassionate toward others.  You double your money by praying not only for yourself but for another person.  You will also be working toward the salvation of your soul and soul of others.

Yes, material things are expensive.

However, your eternal salvation and your soul is of greater value.

We are called to repent of our sins,  in Confession, to invest in God’s mercy because our soul endures beyond death.

The Gospel parable is not about the reward of money but of eternal life through the priceless of experience of God’s mercy. It is our calling, a responsibility as the Master said:   Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Since you were faithful in small matters,  I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy. (Matt 25)