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Nov 20, 2024

Luke 19: 11-28

As they were listening to this, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 

So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 

The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ 

Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 

He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ 

He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’”

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Nov 20, 2024

What Should I Do With My ‘Pound’?

God, what should I do with my ‘pound’? That’s a question I asked a few months ago.  The answer was surprising:  Help the homeless.   

I started volunteering as a case manager at a local rescue mission. I realized that with this lofty title comes a lowly job: driving the bus. I take people to the doctor, job interviews, homeless shelters, and the DMV.   

The enemy sometimes whispers, “Isn’t this a waste of your talents?”   

Yet while driving, I call them by name. I ask about their struggles. I affirm that life is hard. I cry when they cry. I smile when they smile. Sometimes we both shake our heads at the injustice of it all.

The little gestures don’t seem like much, but to one with little to no status in society, any gesture that increases their human dignity is priceless. Yes, indeed, this is a great way to invest my ‘pound’.

—Scott D. Gilfillan is a deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte and the founder and executive director of the Font of Mercy, a non-profit focused on advancing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Nov 20, 2024

Prayer

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness 
to give us all abundant grace 
ever to know his most holy will 
and perfectly to fulfill it.

—St. Ignatius of Loyola

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