First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
She will render him good and not evil all the days of her life. She has sought wool and flax and has worked by the counsel of her hands. She has put out her hand to strong things and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
She has opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her hands to the poor. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 5:1-6
But as to times and moments, brothers, you need not that we should write to you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say peace and security, then shall sudden destruction come upon them as pains upon her who is with child, and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief.
For all of you are children of light and children of the day, we are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
Alleluia: John 15:4a, 5b
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he took his journey.
And he who had received the five talents went his way and traded with them and gained another five. And in like manner he who had received two gained another two.
But he who had received the one, going his way dug into the earth and hid his lord's money.
But after a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received five talents came, bringing another five talents, saying: Lord, you delivered to me five talents, behold I have gained another five over and above.
His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things, enter into the joy of your lord.
And he also who had received two talents came and said: Lord, you delivered two talents to me, behold I have gained another two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things, enter into the joy of your lord.
But he who had received one talent came and said: Lord, I know that you are a hard man, you reap where you have not sown and gather where you have not scattered. And being afraid I went and hid your talent in the earth, behold here you have what is yours.
And his lord answering said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sow not and gather where I have not scattered, you ought therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with interest. Take therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has shall be given and he shall abound, but from him who has not, even what he seems to have shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant cast out into the exterior darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Reflection
God praises faithfulness, not show. The valiant woman in Proverbs fears the Lord. She works with her hands, she is trusted, she opens her hands to the needy and stretches out her hands to the poor. Beauty fades, favor deceives, but the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.
The psalm says the same - blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. You shall eat the labors of your hands.
Jesus gives this urgency. A master gives talents - five, two, one - to each according to his ability, and then he leaves. Two servants trade and double what they have. One, out of fear, buries his talent. When the master returns, he says to the faithful: Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your lord. To the one who hid his gift out of fear, he says: wicked and slothful servant.
Paul reminds us why this matters now - the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. But you are children of light, not of darkness. So do not sleep. Remain in Christ and bear much fruit. Use what God has put in your hands today with courage and open hands.
Prayer
Lord, everything I have comes from you. Keep me from hiding your gifts out of fear or laziness. Give me wisdom to know what you have entrusted to me and courage to use it for others. Teach me to fear you, to walk in your ways, to work with integrity and to open my hands to those in need. Help me stay awake as a child of light, remaining in you and bearing fruit. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
