33rd Sunday A

27
W W e e lc lc o o m m e t e t o o o o ur ur B B i i b b le le S S t t u u d d y y 33 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A November 13, 2011 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

description

Reflections on Sunday Mass Readings by Fr Cielo R. Almazan OFM

Transcript of 33rd Sunday A

Page 1: 33rd  Sunday  A

WWeelclcoomme te too oour ur BBiibble le

SSttuuddyy

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ANovember 13, 2011

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn aid of focusing our homilies and

sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

Page 2: 33rd  Sunday  A

11stst reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19- reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-3120,30-31

10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. 11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. 12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. 20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates. The focus is on a worthy wife.

Page 3: 33rd  Sunday  A

11stst reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19- reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-3120,30-31

10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. 11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. 12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. 20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Commentary: V.10 says a man is lucky if he finds a worthy

wife.– She is more valuable than pearls.

V.11 is parallel to v.10.– His wife is priceless.

Actions of the worthy wife: She brings her husband good (v.12) She obtains wool, makes cloth (v.13) She puts her hands // her fingers (she

weaves) (parallelism) (v.19) She reaches out… to the poor // extends… to

the needy (parallelism) (v.20)V.30 contrasts the attributes of a worthy wife to

charm (deceptive) // beauty (fleeting, temporary). (parallelism)

Hirit pa: the woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised

V.31 gives a tall order: Give her a reward// let her works praise her… (parallelism)

Page 4: 33rd  Sunday  A

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst readingreading

It is important for man to find a good wife. A good wife is a true treasure. She is

priceless. A good wife is one who is responsible, hard

working, practical, and has a heart for the poor (sense of justice).

A good wife does not cause her husband his downfall.

A good wife does not need to be charming and beautiful. Looks can be deceptive.

A good wife is God-fearing. She deserves a reward and recognition from

all of us. Is there still a woman who is like this?

Page 5: 33rd  Sunday  A

Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (cf. 1a) R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD,1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!who walk in his ways!2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored.blessed shall you be, and favored.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;in the recesses of your home;Your children like olive plantsYour children like olive plantsaround your table.around your table.

4 Behold, thus is the man blessed4 Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.who fears the LORD.5 The LORD bless you from Zion:5 The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemmay you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life.all the days of your life.

Page 6: 33rd  Sunday  A

Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Resp. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (cf. 1a) R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those Blessed are those

who fear the Lord.who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are you who fear the 1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways!LORD, who walk in his ways!2 For you shall eat the fruit of your 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored.blessed shall you be, and favored.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home;vine in the recesses of your home;Your children like olive plantsYour children like olive plantsaround your table.around your table.

4 Behold, thus is the man blessed4 Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.who fears the LORD.5 The LORD bless you from Zion:5 The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of may you see the prosperity of JerusalemJerusalemall the days of your life.all the days of your life.

CommentaryCommentary In v.1, the psalmist recognizes In v.1, the psalmist recognizes

those who fear God as those who fear God as blessed.blessed.

Vv.2-3 enumerate the Vv.2-3 enumerate the blessings of walking in God’s blessings of walking in God’s ways (fearing God):ways (fearing God):

To eat the fruit of your work, To eat the fruit of your work, v.2v.2

Your wife shall be fruitful, v.3Your wife shall be fruitful, v.3 Your children shall be like olive Your children shall be like olive

plants, v.3plants, v.3 V.4 repeats the idea of v.1.V.4 repeats the idea of v.1. V.5 indicates the place from V.5 indicates the place from

where we are blessed: from where we are blessed: from Zion/Jerusalem.Zion/Jerusalem.

To be blessed is to prosper.To be blessed is to prosper.

Page 7: 33rd  Sunday  A

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm

We should fear the Lord (refrain from violating his laws).

To fear God is to walk in his ways. Blessed (happy, fortunate) are we if we

fear God. God promises us his blessings.

– Abundant food– Joy– Healthy children– Healthy environment

Page 8: 33rd  Sunday  A

22ndnd reading: 1 Thessalonians reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-65:1-6

1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

The focus is on the day of the LORD.

Page 9: 33rd  Sunday  A

22ndnd reading: 1 Thessalonians reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-65:1-6

1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

Commentary In v.1 St. Paul talks about times In v.1 St. Paul talks about times

and seasons (time of the Lord).and seasons (time of the Lord). V.2 spells out what Paul really V.2 spells out what Paul really

means. “The day of the Lord.”means. “The day of the Lord.” ““The day of the Lord” comes The day of the Lord” comes

like a thief at night. like a thief at night. – It means it comes without It means it comes without

warning. It is unexpected.warning. It is unexpected. The proper action is vigilance.The proper action is vigilance. V.3 further explains how to V.3 further explains how to

prepare for “the day of the prepare for “the day of the Lord.”Lord.”

People should not be naïve to People should not be naïve to believe what other people believe what other people (ignorant of God’s mysteries (ignorant of God’s mysteries and plans) say.and plans) say.

Those people do not know Those people do not know what they are doing are living what they are doing are living in darkness. They mislead.in darkness. They mislead.

Page 10: 33rd  Sunday  A

22ndnd reading: 1 Thessalonians reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-65:1-6

1 Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

In v.4, Paul says that the In v.4, Paul says that the Thessalonians do not live Thessalonians do not live in darkness. They will not in darkness. They will not be overtaken by “that be overtaken by “that day.”day.”

By virtue of their faith, By virtue of their faith, they are children of the they are children of the day and light. V.5day and light. V.5

V.6 exhorts the Christians V.6 exhorts the Christians to be vigilant, alert and to be vigilant, alert and sober.sober.

Those who are in Those who are in darkness sleep and get darkness sleep and get drunk.drunk.

They don’t care about They don’t care about their future.their future.

Page 11: 33rd  Sunday  A

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd readingreading

“The day of the Lord” is the end of time. For Paul, time is not only the past, present

and future, but also the end. It is the second coming of Jesus Christ

(parousia for the theologians) The thought of the end should help

Christians to lead moral lives. The second coming of Jesus brings judgment

to the unrepentant sinner, but salvation to the just and vigilant.

The reading reminds us, people of today, who seldom think about the end of the world, that there is such a thing as, the end.

Page 12: 33rd  Sunday  A

Gospel reading: Gospel reading: Mt 25:14-30 orMt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 25:14-15, 19-2119-21

The man entrusting his talents 14 A man who was going on a journey called in his

servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one -- to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18 1 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

Page 13: 33rd  Sunday  A

The faithful servant with 5 talents more 19 After a long time the master of those servants

came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' 21 His master said to him, '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.'

The faithful servant with 2 talents more 22 (Then) the one who had received two talents

also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' 23 His master said to him, '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.'

Page 14: 33rd  Sunday  A

The unfaithful servant without any gain 24 Then the one who had received the one talent

came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' 26 His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 1 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'

Page 15: 33rd  Sunday  A

CommentaryCommentary The parable is entitled “The Parable of the Talents.”The parable is entitled “The Parable of the Talents.” St. Matthew places this parable towards the end of St. Matthew places this parable towards the end of

his gospel, along with the parables concerning the his gospel, along with the parables concerning the end of the world, before the passion narrative. end of the world, before the passion narrative. (Matthew 25)(Matthew 25)

There is a pattern: 1There is a pattern: 1stst servant, 2 servant, 2ndnd servant, 3 servant, 3rdrd servant (also in entrusting, in responding, and in servant (also in entrusting, in responding, and in accounting)accounting)

The 3The 3rdrd servant (the lazy one) receives longer servant (the lazy one) receives longer “footage,” more attention than the others.“footage,” more attention than the others.

The gospel seemingly promotes “capitalism.” The gospel seemingly promotes “capitalism.” (bank, (bank,

interest, making more money),interest, making more money), but, that is not the point. but, that is not the point. The teaching The teaching (saying in v. 29)(saying in v. 29) needs more explanation. needs more explanation.

It is a warning to those who do not produce It is a warning to those who do not produce anything. It is a kind of stripping (recalling) of anything. It is a kind of stripping (recalling) of anything that is left in an unproductive person.anything that is left in an unproductive person.

Page 16: 33rd  Sunday  A

To entrust one’s property (huge amount) to servants is not a joke.

Imagine: 1 talent = laborer’s wage for 15 years– Today’s minimum wage and ECOLA = Php 404

x 24 days x 12 months x 15 years = Php 1,745,280.00. (Php 1.7M)

Page 17: 33rd  Sunday  A

Reflections on the gospel Reflections on the gospel readingreading

God has entrusted us with many gifts. We are God has entrusted us with many gifts. We are fully equipped to be productive.fully equipped to be productive.

The gifts must be used, developed and The gifts must be used, developed and multiplied. multiplied.

God recognizes the capacity of each one and God recognizes the capacity of each one and expects each one to perform accordingly.expects each one to perform accordingly.

God is prodigious and lavish in entrusting. God is prodigious and lavish in entrusting. Exaggerated even. Unbelievable, very Exaggerated even. Unbelievable, very flattering but hard to take for granted.flattering but hard to take for granted.

We, too, must impress God in return.We, too, must impress God in return. We don’t squander his gifts by doing nothing.We don’t squander his gifts by doing nothing.

Page 18: 33rd  Sunday  A

For God, there is no place for For God, there is no place for unproductivityunproductivity. . It is contrary to our being the images and It is contrary to our being the images and likenesses of God.likenesses of God.

God considers everyone as capable of God considers everyone as capable of producingproducing..

Punishment awaits those who do not Punishment awaits those who do not produceproduce anything in their lives.anything in their lives.

Some people are not Some people are not productiveproductive because of because of fear and lack of faith (3fear and lack of faith (3rdrd servant). They don’t servant). They don’t trust anyone, even the ones who can help trust anyone, even the ones who can help them. them.

God will entrust more things to us if we are God will entrust more things to us if we are responsiveresponsive to him. to him.

Page 19: 33rd  Sunday  A

Tying the 3 readings and the Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmPsalm

The first reading commends a wife, who is responsible and productive.

The psalm commends people, who fear the Lord (being productive).

The second reading talks about the “Day of the Lord”, when the Lord comes to reward those who are productive and to punish the evildoers.

The gospel reading talks about rewarding the productive servants.

Page 20: 33rd  Sunday  A

How to develop your homily / How to develop your homily / sharingsharing

The end of time is usually The end of time is usually associated with the second associated with the second coming of Christ to judge or coming of Christ to judge or reward us according to our deeds.reward us according to our deeds.

The three readings are strong on The three readings are strong on productivity. In order to enter productivity. In order to enter heaven, we must show diligence. heaven, we must show diligence. We do good works.We do good works.

Page 21: 33rd  Sunday  A

The The first readingfirst reading praises a wife who is praises a wife who is industrious, diligent and productive. industrious, diligent and productive.

She is an asset to her husband.She is an asset to her husband. It also praises the wife who knows her It also praises the wife who knows her

priorities.priorities. She is not concerned about skin-deep She is not concerned about skin-deep

beauty and appearances, but fear of beauty and appearances, but fear of the Lord. the Lord.

Page 22: 33rd  Sunday  A

The second reading warns us to be vigilant always because we never know when Jesus will come to judge us.

Jesus’ coming may be delayed, but still we are asked to watch our behavior.

We stay awake and vigilant until the end of days.

There is no end to waiting and watching. Vigilance does not mean doing nothing. We will be judged according to our deeds.

Page 23: 33rd  Sunday  A

The The gospel readinggospel reading greatly rewards those greatly rewards those who respond to God’s challenge, with who respond to God’s challenge, with diligence and creativity.diligence and creativity.

He has entrusted us with a lot of talents and He has entrusted us with a lot of talents and treasure.treasure.

We must be enterprising when it comes to We must be enterprising when it comes to God’s interests.God’s interests.

God recognizes all the efforts we exert.God recognizes all the efforts we exert. God rejects lazy people, who do not God rejects lazy people, who do not

contribute anything good to this planet.contribute anything good to this planet. There is no place for irresponsible people in There is no place for irresponsible people in

the kingdom of God.the kingdom of God.

Page 24: 33rd  Sunday  A

In our communities, we can easily spot people who are accomplishers and who are not.

The accomplishers work with their minds and hands. They are usually the quiet type.

The non-accomplishers talk more. Their glib talks do not match their actions. They find it hard to move their bodies to accomplish something.

They take so much time and energy to accomplish a small thing, because they are not used to doing.

When they accomplish something, it is half-baked and done haphazardly because they are not convinced they should do it.

Page 25: 33rd  Sunday  A

The The eucharisteucharist helps us to be helps us to be productiveproductive.. In the In the eucharisteucharist, Jesus strengthens us to , Jesus strengthens us to

be be productiveproductive as missionaries and as missionaries and evangelizers.evangelizers.

In the In the eucharisteucharist, we recognize our , we recognize our giftedness and our ability to do a lot for giftedness and our ability to do a lot for God and for our fellow believers.God and for our fellow believers.

Page 26: 33rd  Sunday  A

Our Context of Sin and Our Context of Sin and GraceGrace

Laziness, sloth Gets tired easily (needs

physical check up) No energy Does not find work More concerned with

beauty, looks Emphasis on external

appearance Bad wife (pahamak sa

asawa)

Creative Enterprising Responsive Accountable Spirituality of

Stewardship Productive Inventive, resourceful Reads the signs of the

times Keen on the best Does work with passion.

Page 27: 33rd  Sunday  A

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs

ServiceService Ikaw Ngayon BukasIkaw Ngayon Bukas

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6ko v=RLXGRycu6ko

Happy the Man Happy the Man by Sebastian Templeby Sebastian Temple Happy is the Man Happy is the Man by John Miffletonby John Miffleton