Signposts On The Way

Yesterday’s Gospel (Mt. 25:14-30) appears unjustifiably harsh. The Master entrusts his slaves with his property, “each according to his ability”. He knew what each was capable of. Yet, when the time for accounting comes, he treats the one with the least ability with extraordinary harshness. It seems so patently unjust!

This is all the more so when we know full well that the Master in the parable is God. Where is Divine compassion? Understanding? Mercy?

Ah, but to arrive at this conclusion is to betray a misunderstanding of spiritual wisdom.

Let me explain.

Each of us has been endowed by the Creator with the gift of the Spirit abundantly, freely and generously. As we have received, we are to give with the same generosity.

John Shea expresses it this way: “When Spirit is given away, there is more of it. There is more both for the one who receives Spirit and for the one who gives it. And this increase is not a fraction but a perfect double. Whole generates whole. In this way spiritual growth is not incremental but exponential. It doubles with each giving … This is just the way it is.”*

As the liturgical year ends and we stand on the cusp of a new beginning, we would do well to evaluate our growth over the past year and perhaps think of how we will cooperate with God’s generosity and our response to it in the year ahead in new, creative and bold and courageous ways.

*On Earth as it is in Heaven: The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers Year A (Collegeville, MN, Liturgical Press: 2004)