Tag: Matt 25:14-23

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One Minute Reflection – 22 September – The more you receive, the more you have to account for

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”- Readings: Sir 45:30, Ps. 131:1, Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matt 25:14-23

And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’

Matt 25:14-23

REFLECTION – The man in travelling into a far country is our Redeemer, who ascended into heaven in that flesh which He had taken upon Him. For the proper home of the flesh is the earth, and it, as it were, travels into a foreign country, when it is placed by the Redeemer in heaven.

Otherwise; The five talents denote the gift of the five senses, that is, the knowledge of things without; the two signify understanding and action, the one talent understanding only.

There are also some who though they cannot pierce to things inward and mystical, yet for their measure of view of their heavenly country they teach rightly such things as they can, what they have gathered from things without, and while they keep themselves from wantonness of the flesh, and from ambition of earthly things, and from the delights of the things that are seen, they restrain others also from the same by their admonitions.

Again, there are some who by their understanding and their actions preach to others, and thence gain as it were a twofold profit in such merchandize. This their preaching bestowed upon both sexes is thus a talent doubled.

To hide one talent in the earth is to devote the ability we have received to worldly business.

This lesson from this Gospel warns us to consider whether those who seem to have received more in this world than others shall not be more severely judged by the Author of the world; the greater the gifts, the greater the reckoning for them. Therefore should every one be humble concerning his talents in proportion as he sees himself tied up with a greater responsibility.

St Gregory the Great

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of suffering of our Blessed Mother Mary, teach us how to love and serve You. Through her intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “After a long time the master of those servants came back”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Readings: Sir 45:30, Ps. 131:1, Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matt 25:14-23

Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

Matt 25:14-23

REFLECTION – “Brothers, up till now we have done nothing at all: so let us begin today.” It was to himself that Saint Francis addressed this counsel; let us humbly make it our own. How true it is that we have done nothing – or very little – as yet! One year follows another without our asking ourselves what we could have made of them. Hasn’t there been anything to change, to add or take away from our way of behaving? How carelessly we have lived, as though the day were never going to come when the eternal Judge would call us to himself and we would have to give an account of our deeds and of what we have done with our time.

Don’t let us waste our time. We ought not to put off for tomorrow what we could do today. The grave overflows with good intentions and, in any case, who can say whether tomorrow we shall still be alive? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience; it is the voice of the prophet: “Oh that today you would hear his voice: Harden not your heart,”.

All we have is the present moment: so let us keep a watch over it and live it as though it were a treasure entrusted to us. Time doesn’t belong to us; don’t let us waste it.

Padre Pio

PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, open the ears and eyes of our hearts and fill us with Your grace. May we follow You in holiness all the days of our lives. Grant we pray, that as You brought Your Saints and Martyrs to overcome fearlessly, the persecutions of Your people, that we too may remain invincible under Your protection and by their prayers, be strengthened against the snares of the enemy. St Lawrence Justinian, pray for us in these times of evil! Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.