22/23/2023

I don't think that "Maccabees" is accepted by the Rabbis as part of Scripture. Our Church chooses this passage for the obvious message that we must not accept the laws of Kings that breach the Law that comes from God. 

The last time the problems that arise out of conflict between  Church and State came up in the mass readings of the day, the Gospel was Matthew's version of the Parable of the Talents. Luke's version adds the reported treachery of the King's enemies to the basic plot of the drama but the essential story is still the same, although we are all equally allotted at birth.

We are created souls to live in the world. We are born into created time and space which is God's Providence. A rich/poor father and mother are obviously not the child's doing nor are they "fate". We are created as free beings and have to learn with the help of God's grace that this life has to be lived as beings in God's image and likeness, free but holy. 

When thinking about Matthew's version of this parable I came to the conclusion that our traditional interpretation is not right as the King goes away and leaves his stewards to their own devices. The hard and exacting King offers no guidance or care along with the talents. 

Our God is crystal clear about what he wills for us to be. He does not need us to build skyscrapers and spaceships. He has no need of Art. He hates sin. We have to be in our hearts as innocent as the babies who are being slaughtered in Gaza and aborted throughout the world.

Jesus the Son who is also Father, Son and Holy Spirit showed us how to live and organize our world. He is still present with us as the head of his spiritual Church on earth; the Mystical Body of Christ on earth; not Basilicas, Cathedrals,or Monasteries; not the lovely but empty parish churches that grace the European landscape but the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit that we can with only a little effort hear and answer in our hearts.

Our "hard master" has not gone away deserting his people but is "hard" only against sin, the misuse of our freedom/talents. Our Loving Eternal Father pours out his loving mercy through the human blood of his Son crucified for us but now the free gift of the Resurrection which is to be shared equally by all of us to reject the world, the flesh and the devil.

Dear Lord you know what a mess of good intentions, thoughts and words I am. Let me find your grace and hold onto your hand that I may be guided on the right path through the snares of the world to the place you have prepared for me. May Mary who has never known the power of sin but witnessed the horror of its effects on Calvary, lead all our brothers and sisters who know you now face to face to pray for even more grace to flood the souls of sinners here and in Purgatory. Everything is possible for you but we can do nothing without your grace.