33rd Wed 'One Talent in Bank' Lk. 19:23

papa-francesco

Intro: Fr. Nivard

Magnificat adapted

33 Wed 19 Nov 13 Lk 17_26-37

 Why did you not put my money in the bank?  

The mother of the Maccabees said to her sons. “The creator of the world will give you back both breath and life.”

To everyone who has will be given more. The act of spending ourselves for Jesus Christ creates a space in us that Jesus will fill with himself.

   We obey the command of the one who places gold coins in our hands with the words, “Do business.” 

   That “business” is what it means to live by faith.

Father, we beg you to sanctify our daily life of prayer, praise and work by purity of heart, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

                          * * * * * * * *

Not Our Talents

Let us ever bear in mind ... that we in this place are only then really strong when we are more than we seem to be. It is not our attainments or our talents, it is not philosophy or science, letters or arts which will make us dear to God. It is not secular favour, or civil position, which can make us worthy of the attention and the interest of the true Christian. A great university is a great power, and can do great things; but, unless it be something more than human, it is but foolishness and vanity in the sight and in comparison of the little ones of Christ. It is really dead, though it seems to live, unless it be grafted upon the True Vine, and is partaker of the secret supernatural life which circulates through the undecaying branches. "Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Idle is our labour, worthless is our toil, ashes is our fruit, corruption is our reward, unless we begin the foundation of this great undertaking in faith and prayer, and sanctify it by purity of life.

BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN († 1890) established the English Oratory in Birmingham, and was a preacher of great eloquence.

Pope Francis 
General Audience of 05/06/2013 (trans. © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana) 

"'Engage in trade with these"