The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, November 13, 2005
The Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

God entrusts, indeed invests, a measure of His wealth of good, to each soul to share His work and increase the Kingdom. He gives a share to each and supplies the needed grace so that with self-will and diligence, each may achieve good for the kingdom, measure for measure. Each day God asks us to use the talents He gives in the circumstances of our lives and relationships as we receive the days' duties and surprises. We labor to return this gift measured in Love. All that one does, in Love, is done in and for God in whom we 'remain.'

One contemplates these "little things done with great love" of each day, and sees every one who loved God courageously and whom we recognize as a 'saint.' That is our own calling as well, to courageously achieve good with the love and gifts we receive from God, for God. That is our inheritance, to receive and bestow His wealth, by sharing in His labor that is love poured out for all.

Each soul is created in the very image and likeness of God. Each is thus gifted, entrusted, empowered and dispatched to labor diligently, lovingly, giving what is received so as to return a wealth of love to God from Whom all love is bestowed--indeed, the very One Who is Love. What is returned can be something very beautiful for God.

O Lord, may we trust that whatever You give and ask of each life, You will and intend to achieve. Relieve our fear and grace us to courageously love as You loved us first. Your loving, passionate embrace of the cross for our redemption, is the gift likewise entrusted for us to embrace daily in our own lives. May we lovingly persevere in You in Whom all is achieved. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)