mamabishop: Sunday, November 19, 2023 Proper 28

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Sunday, November 19, 2023 Proper 28

Sunday, November 19th, 2023

Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30

When we were small children, my brother and me, were asked to help dig up a part of the back yard. I can't remember why we were digging only that we had energy and the adults had less. My father's close friend and he, sitting in the lawn chairs, told us we would find buried treasure, if we would keep digging. Every so often they would toss a dime or a nickel into the dirt, without us seeing, and we would scream in joy when we found the "treasure." Many folks dream of finding real buried or submerged treasure, but rarely are those treasure of lore found. Somethings are meant to stay buried. And some things, like the gifts we have been given, are meant to be shared and multiplied. It means taking risks, and taking risks is very hard.

A Sunday Litany

Great Creator, author of sea and sky

every corner of the earth is blessed

each creature has a gift to offer

and each child has treasure to share.