Scripture Reading Reflection
by Fr. Andrew Kelly
THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – NOVEMBER 16, 2014
Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 25:14-30) might read this way. A company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) took a leave of absence. The CEO distributed responsibility for the company into the hands of managers. Not for company status quo safe keeping, but for market expansion and profitability. Upon return the CEO demanded accountability. Managers successful in increased market share and profitability were promoted. Mangers who took no risk were fired and banished immediately without pension “…into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus Christ, CEO, is with the Holy One, but has promised to return. Jesus Christ’s mission and ministry have been entrusted to the believing community. Jesus Christ expects God’s salvific mission of compassion, justice and mercy among society’s marginal to expand throughout the world transforming lives of billions of people (profitability?).
Jesus Christ, CEO, returns Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, for an unannounced community accounting of Gospel activity and progress. Will there be great joy over great success with mission? Or will there be dreaded damnation? Has the community dug itself a self-preserving hole with no documented evidence of even having attempted implementing Jesus’ mission?
Something to think about as the community listens to Sunday’s Gospel.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
