November 19, 2023

Fr. Pat’s Sermon Notes

33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Don’t Squander God’s Confidence in You!
 

Many years ago after only a year of priestly ministry, Cardinal Hickey asked me to leave my first parish where I was an Associate Pastor and go to St. Peter Claver Church in Southern Maryland.  At 27 years of age, I was now the acting Parish Administrator of a small rural parish. There were three buildings, over two hundred acres of land, and a hundred and twenty families that were entrusted to me - a guy who had never owned his own apartment!  If I had ever wondered whether God had a sense of humor, all my doubts were laid to rest the day I was asked to take this assignment! 
 
One of the biggest lessons that I learned in the six years I was pastor at St. Peter’s was that we should never doubt God’s confidence in us or underestimate what God is capable of accomplishing through us!  In the Gospel parable today, the Master demonstrates great confidence in his three servants by leaving each of them large sums of money.  He fully expected them to invest this money wisely, creatively, and profitably.  His shock upon discovering that one of his servants had buried his share of the money actually demonstrates the confidence that he had shown in him.  It seemed never to have dawned on the Master that his servant would be as foolish as to squander such a great opportunity!  After all, the Master took a big risk in entrusting his money to him in the first place.  God took an even bigger risk by investing the life of his Beloved Son to save us from the bondage of sin and then entrusting us with the mission of building up his Kingdom on earth.
 
God has given each of us many talents, gifts and resources and even our unique personality.  God also gave us a choice whether to invest any of it for the sake of his Kingdom! Therein lays the risk on God’s part.  It is classic deception to believe that you have nothing worthwhile to offer; that you wouldn’t make any real difference.  My vote won’t count.  My voice won’t be heard. My small donation won’t matter.  My kind gesture won’t be received. My presence won’t be noticed.  My extra effort won’t amount to anything.  In fact, salvation history is not primarily the story of the spiritual giants who did the extraordinary but of the believing masses who did their part with extraordinary love.  Only you can do your part.  Don’t bury what God has given you. The world sorely needs it. And, don’t settle for your contribution to the Kingdom being minimal, medium or rare.  No, Jesus prefers his disciples to be good, faithful and well done!