- 21.18. Wed. wk 33 – O. T. (II) Revelation 4: 1 – 11 Luke 19: 11 – 28
While they were listening to him speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins* and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities. Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”
After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. The Gospel of the Lord.
Homily: Fr. Mike Murphy “We Need Marys”
Today – the Church – remembers, when Mary was presented in the Temple by her parents – Anna and Joachim. On this day, according to tradition, Mary was dedicated to God, given to the Lord by her parents. While this event does not occur in the Gospels – we do find it in the “Protoevangelium’ of James” one of the Apocryphal Gospels of James. We do find an account of this incident at that time.
And the story tells us – when Mary was three years old, her parents brought her to the Temple and left her there. She was raised by the priests and the women in the Temple at that time. While there is no historical evidence at all that confirms this fact – this day does remind us – that like Mary – we are all dedicated to God through our Baptism. All of us are given over to the Lord through our Baptism and we are expected to live out that Baptismal call every day of our life – in purity, as Mary did and in docility to God’s will, as Mary did. We have all received grace upon grace to be lived out to the glory and honor of God.
In the Gospel parable we just heard proclaimed – when the king returned – he rewarded his faithful servants. It will be the same thing for us. The Lord will reward those who have remained faithful to Him – if we are generous with the gifts that God has given to us – using those gifts for God’s glory and the benefit of our neighbor. Then we will unite ourself more closely to the image of Mary – who gave of herself completely to the Lord’s will. ‘Mary was full of Grace’ and Mary did not embrace that grace selfishly – but she gave herself completely to the will of God –
She responded to the Angel Gabriel: “I am the maidservant of the Lord – let it be done to me as you say.” (Luke 1:38) Would that all of us could be as docile as Mary – in our lives!
Let me share with you a poem (by a friend of mine) an oblate in the mid-west. It is a plea from †Jesus. It is a plea from one who cries out: “I need Mary’s – Today”. I’d like you to close your eyes and quiet you mind and listen to †Jesus speak to your heart.
I NEED MARYS TODAY
Jesus’ Plea!
I need Marys today.
I need people who listen to Me,
enter into dialogue with Me,
discern the will of My Father,
and generously and lovingly carry it out.
As My Father said in the past, ‘Hear, O Israel,’
I say to you today,
“Hear Me, you and you and you!
Listen to Me! I need Marys among lay people,
among consecrated people, and
among the ordained.
I can’t do without people who see needs, respond to them,
and, like Mary, go in haste to do the will of My Father.
These Marian People hasten
the coming of the Kingdom on earth.
I want Marys living in today’s world!
I need people who are humble, gentle, kind, patient,
faith-hope-love-filled, contemplative and apostolic,
at the service of the TRUTH.
Learn from My Mother; go to her school,
gaze at her, remain with her!
She will teach you My ways
and will lead you to Me.
Be attentive, discern and understand My ways.
Be courageous- risk and trust Me!
Respond to needs as they arise…
I AM THE LORD! I am leading you to the Father,
I am leading the Church
today as I did yesterday.
My Father is at work. I, too, am at work.
He wants you and you and you
to welcome the Spirit and accomplish your mission
as I accomplished Mine when I became man
and dwelt among you.
Every century has its own challenges.
Deal with them, and know that I am with you.
Be not afraid!
Overcome your fears, doubts, and mediocrity…
Cast all your burdens upon Me and
trust, trust, trust.
Listen to My plea, be like Mary, be another Mary.
Listen, also, to the cry of My people:
They want to see Me, meet Me, come in touch with Me.
Listen to them; enter into dialogue with them.
Help them in their needs; stand by them, by the Cross;
wait in prayer for My answer, and
rejoice in the work I am doing in them.
Be My presence in their midst
by being who you are
and by doing what you have to do.
Be another Mary! I count on you!”
My reply:
“O Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary,
in Your name, I ask the Father-Son-and-Holy Spirit
to make of me another Mary.
I want to praise, thank, love, and serve You
as Mary did when she was on this earth.
O Jesus, only Mediator between God and man,
teach me to be still,
to be present, alert, open and flexible,
to be like Mary, receptive and responsive to You.
O Jesus, make me wholly centered on You,
wholly determined to glorify
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
now and forever.
O Jesus, use me to help my brothers and sisters
journey in holiness. Amen.
O Mary, intercede for me!
O Mary, give me TRUST to become holy!
Amen.”
by Franca Salvo aoomaha@prosanctity.org
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
