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2 Macc 7:1, 20–31 · Luke 19:11–28
Theme: Putting into Use What God Has Given Us
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on courage, trust, and responsibility in the life of faith.
In 2 Maccabees, we witness the extraordinary bravery of a mother and her seven sons, who choose death rather than betray God’s law. Their witness goes beyond simple obedience—it reveals a profound conviction that what God gives—His law, His covenant, His truth—is worthy of protection even at the cost of life itself. Their courage shows us that fidelity often demands sacrifice, and that God’s gifts should never be taken lightly.
The Gospel shifts our attention from courage in suffering to responsibility in waiting. Jesus tells a parable to correct the expectation that the Kingdom would appear immediately. The nobleman who goes away and returns as king represents Christ, who after his resurrection entrusts his followers with gifts, responsibilities, and opportunities while we await His return.
The striking part of the story is not the success of the industrious servants but the paralysis of the one who does nothing. His problem is not lack of resources but lack of trust. He is ruled by fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of losing what little he has. Fear becomes the fence that traps him into unfaithfulness.
The parable and the first reading together challenge us:
What are we doing with what God has entrusted to us—our faith, our gifts, our relationships, our time, our vocation?
God never asks us for perfection, only faithfulness. The master’s words, “Well done, good servant,” are not a reward for spectacular achievement but for courageous stewardship—using what one has, however small, for God’s purposes.
As we await Christ’s return, we are not passive spectators. We are partners in His mission. The courage of the martyrs teaches us to hold firmly to God’s truth, and the parable teaches us to invest generously the gifts He has placed in our hands.
May we resist the fear that keeps gifts buried and instead step forward with trust, creativity, and love—so that one day we may also hear those joyful words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Fr. Stephen Arinzechukwu Okoli, SMMM