Present to the life entrusted to us

 Present to the Life Entrusted to Us

A Season of Renewal

The love that I have wasted, O God of love, renew. As we near the end of our liturgical year, we have an opportunity to renew our lives. Events crowd out our days; there is so much to do and so little time. Modern communication promised us time to relax, yet we are stressed about missing out and lose the chance to discover what truly brings life.

Not More Work, but Presence

I don't think Jesus is asking us to take on more work or cram more into our days. He asks us to be present to our own abilities and to use our time well. The worrying figure in the gospel is the servant who buried his talent. Fearful of not meeting expectations, he did nothing, which serves neither master nor servant. It is not about doing more. It is about being present to the life entrusted to us, to give glory to God.

Slowing Down This Week

This week I have slowed down to examine what truly brings me life. Pausing, I have noticed people going through difficult events, where the questions of life and death come into sharp relief. This is not just about having our bags packed. It is about seeing each moment as an opportunity to meet the God who loves us from the inside out.

Two Moments of Waiting

While waiting for the bank to open, I talked with a woman who wondered why it did not open earlier. This led to a deeper conversation about what had brought her there and the worries she carried. It was a time to be present, not just to the conversation, but to the person. Time spent waiting became a moment of encounter.

That same day I waited for my car to be serviced, and it seemed to consume the whole day. Was I wasting my time, or could I use it to reflect on how I prepare my homilies? Daytime quiz shows could have consumed my time, leaving me more alone and bereft.

Proverbs: The Woman and Her Works

Reflecting on these moments, I noticed how the readings came into view. Proverbs speaks of a woman busy with wool and flax, who brought her creative skills to a good end. The words that stay with me are “Give her a share in what her hands have worked for and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.” This was not just profit but an inner joy that radiated out to the whole city.

St Paul: Awake to the Time

St Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about the appropriate time, using images of the womb in labour and the thief in the night. He cautions against seeking only a quiet life, for circumstances change quickly. He calls us to be awake to the goodness within us that can radiate light to our world. This points to the sin of acedia, remaining unfocused and asleep, a sin I often struggle with. It is hard to stay awake when so many people are shining the light on things we cannot change.

The Gospel of the Talents

Then Jesus steps in with the Gospel of the talents. At first glance I thought it focused on those who used their talents wisely and enjoy a relationship with the master. But the focus seems to be on the person who buries his talent in the ground. This is not about his capacity to do good but about his reluctance to take even the first step. He fears a master he sees as demanding, reaping where he has not sown. The harsh judgement on him looms large: the master’s anger excludes him, and he is cast into the darkness.

What Kind of God Do We Imagine?

Is Jesus challenging us about our relationship with God? How do we imagine God to be? A demanding boss or a stern overseer? Or is Jesus trying to wake us up to the connection between how we live now and trust in that relationship? This is not about working harder or praying longer, but about trusting that God desires us to live from the heart of this relationship. Each day we are given the chance to be awake to the moments where our creativity and presence make a difference, open to God’s love poured out.

Closing Prayer

The love that I have wasted, O God of love, renew. May we be present to the life entrusted to us, and so give glory to God.