Today's gospel always prompt from me a smile when we hear about how the lazy slave who knew the master's wishes gets a "severe beating" while the one who did not know the Master's wishes but was also lazy would get a "light beating." I wonder what the difference is between the two? Not that I am up for a beating of any description! It is clear however, in answer to Peter's question: "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?" that the whole of humanity will be answerable before the tribunal of Christ for what they have done with the talents, gifts and charisms given them. St Paul writes: "For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Cor 5: 10) As a result, we need to be alert to our observance of the gospel so that greed, consumerism and self-indulgence do not infiltrate our lives and distract us from our vocation as missionary disciples. As disciples we need to not only listen to the Master but also be prepared to suffer with him. In the letter to the Hebrews we hear: "We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary for sin are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse that he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do no neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Heb 13: 10-16)
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