Sunday Gospel
Prepare for Sunday in prayer.
Matthew 25:14–30
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
About this artwork
The Sermon on the Mount. A general meditation on listening to Christ’s teaching. This painting depicts the Sermon on the Mount, not necessarily the event in today’s reading.
Jesus tells of a master who entrusts his possessions to his servants, inviting us to respond faithfully to what we have received.
Gospel
Matthew 25:14–30
“For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
World English Bible, Catholic Edition · Public domain.
Official readingsFaithful with what is entrusted to us
The servants receive different amounts, but the two who act faithfully hear the same welcome. Their worth is not measured by comparison. We too are invited to care for what has actually been entrusted to us: time, relationships, abilities, and opportunities to serve.
Fear can make us bury what we have rather than risk a loving response. This parable asks us to take responsibility, not to equate wealth with holiness. Faithfulness can be quiet and ordinary: keeping a promise, sharing a skill, or offering patient attention to someone in need.
Bring one neglected gift or responsibility into prayer. Ask for the courage to begin using it for another person's good. Our hope is not simply to achieve more, but to enter the joy of the Lord through faithful love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free me from the fear that keeps love hidden. Teach me to care faithfully for what you entrust to me and to serve others with a generous heart. Amen.
What has God entrusted to you that you can put to loving use this week?