19 November 2017
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm: 127:1-5
1 Thesalonians 5:1-16
The Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.
The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness”.
‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”
‘Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’
The Parable of the Talents
One of the servants said: “Lord, you entrusted to me five talents,” and another mentioned two. They acknowledge that they had received from him the means to carry out their duties well; they give witness to their great gratitude and render their accounts to him. What does the master reply? “Well done, my good and faithful servant (for it is the property of kindness to notice one’s neighbor); you have been faithful in small matters, I will set you over great; enter into the joy of your Lord.” Thus Jesus refers to entire blessedness.
As for him who only received one talent, he went off and buried it. “This good for nothing servant, throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” So you see, it isn’t just the thief, the miser, the wrongdoer who will be punished at the end, it is also the person who fails to do good… Indeed, what are those talents? It is the power each one holds, the authority one enjoys, the fortune one possesses, the teaching one is able to give, and anything else of a similar kind. So let no one come and say: I’ve nothing but one talent, I can’t do anything. For even with only one talent you can act in a praiseworthy manner.
St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on St. Matthew
This week’s feasts
Tue 21 Presentation of the BVM
Wed 22 St. Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr
Thu 23 St. Clement I, Pope, Martyr. Also Saint Columbanus, Abbot and Missionary
Fri 24 Ss. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his Companions, Martyrs
Sat 25 St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin, Martyr.
Sun 26 Christ the King
Psalter Week I
Readings for Christ the King
1st: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm: 22:1-3, 5-6
2nd: Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Christmas Parish Lunch Sun 10 Dec, 1:30 at LPH. We need you to PLEASE SIGN UP for catering purposes. Look for list or talk to Fr. Jim.
Our 2017-2018 Apostolates have restarted including SJPII Children’s Oratory, Catechism for First Communion and Bible Group. For info contact Fr. Fernando 9933 3130. Thank you for your prayers.
Light up a Life Service: Thurs 14 Dec at 6pm. Join us in a prayerful evening for our faithful departed. To have the name of a deceased loved one read out please contact Mary Penny: 9639 8641.
Help us Beautify the Church The Flower Arrangement Group is looking for volunteers. Contact Resi at 26910706.
Fr. Carlos Tandem Parachute Jump Sat 2 Dec. Sponsor our Parish Priest to help Caritas, please see poster in the Coffee Shop.
Meze Meal Dinner at Akis Taverna Fri 24 Nov, 7:30pm. €15.00. Live entertainment. Help our Hospice. Call 9938 9073 (limited availability).
Christmas Shopping Trip to Nicosia Tues 12 December. 3 stops M & S, Ledra Street (bring passport) and Ikea. Raffle. Leave at 8am from upper parking in Debenhams, back 7pm. Cost €17 to help Hospice. Call Linda 99562387.
CARITAS PAPHOS is looking for a place to store the Christmas presents for the children. Thanks for your prayers and support! Contact Wendy Burdon at 99040294.
Mass Times HERE