And they lived happily forever….

This is an ending that we read in many fairytales and kids stories.

As kids we felt that life is always going to be happy as in these fairytales.

>> But as we grow, we realize, that life often is the other way!

Life…

… grinds us with problems and difficulties…

… crushes us with tensions and worries…

… squeezes us with struggles and labours…

Sometimes, we have a very fairytale understanding of God too.

We experience His love and read about His deeds of power and greatness.

>> And we draw up a fairy-tale image of God…

A God…

… Who is always goody-goody and smiley-faced.

… Who is always lenient and closing His eyes to any of our misdeeds.

We take God for granted.

>> We assume God to give us a free-hand always.

But the Gospel of the Day reminds and warns us of demanding side of God!

>> The Lord is gentle and kind…

… but HE is also challenging.

>> The Lord is soft-hearted and loving…

… but HE is also tough and firm.

The parable of the Ten Gold Coins begins with a nobleman who is about to make a trip to a distant country.

>> He leaves his servants in charge of his kingdom.

While he is gone, he expects them to make the most of their opportunity to serve him.

He calls ten servants and gave them ten gold coins.

The phrase used for 10 gold coins’ is “ ten minas” which means “10 units of money”…

… equivalent to about 3 months wages.

They were told to put the money to work, to invest the money, until the nobleman returned.

How well did they do?

 

 

The first two gave their financial report…

The first man came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.”

“Well done, my good servant!” he replied. “Because you’ve been trustworthy in a small matter, take charge of ten cities.”

The second came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned five more.” His master answered, “You take charge of five cities.”

And then come the third servant… Mr Play-it-Safe.

>> He felt that he knew his master very well…

… but in fact, he failed to understand his mind.

>> He felt it was easier to play safe, than to invest…

… but in fact, he failed in his poor calculation.

This caused great anger for the Master…

What angered the servant was not that the servant did not make profit…but because…

…this servant did not even try to use his money…

…this servant had a very lethargic attitude…

… this servant was overly-cautious and hesitant for any risks…

The focus now turns to us…

All of us have been entrusted by God, with great resources, which needs to be invested.

>> Some of us might put them into good use, and gain rewards from the Lord.

But some of us, might want to keep it securely and imitate the third servant, Mr Play-it-Safe.

We may think that we know God well…

… that He is always a forgiving and kind-hearted one, and so all my inactivity and sluggishness will be overlooked

… that He is all too sweet & compassionate, and so all my failures to do my duties will be ignored

But the Lord warns us of serious consequences, as the third servant, Mr Play-it-Safe had to face.

>> “With your own words, I shall condemn you” (Lk 19:22) were the harsh words addressed by the Master to the servant.

Our inability to respond to His grace…

Our lethargy to try to utilize God-given gifts…

Our failure to make attempts to use our talents…

.Our apathy to acknowledge God’s manifold blessings…

… all these will be very severely condemned and punished by God.

>> The Lord doesn’t care for results…

… but He demands a try.

>> The Lord doesn’t look for profit…

… but He demands an effort

>> The Lord doesn’t ask for success…

… but He demands an attempt

>> The Lord doesn’t fret over victories…

… but He demands commitment.

>> The Lord doesn’t bother about accomplishments…

… but He demands faithfulness

We have perhaps very rosy and fairytale images of God.

>> But along with it, let us also become aware of the tough and challenging dimension in God.

His deep love and mercy will save us….

… But His unfailing justice can cause us to be condemned!

His deep compassion will protect us…

… But His impartial righteousness can cause us to be destroyed!

Let us be on the guard.

>> Let us make the best use of the resources that God has blessed us with.

And may we be privileged to hear the soft words of our Lord:

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And thus…we can truly, live happily forever…..

God Bless! Live Jesus!