“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”
33rd SUNDAY (A) November 15, 2026
Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Ps 128; I Thess. 5: 1-6; Matthew 25:14-30
by Jude Siciliano, OP
Dear Preachers:
We know poor people and minorities find it hard to get loans; as do nonprofit organizations, daycare centers and those seeking support for affordable housing. There is, it seems a hesitancy to take a risk lending to these groups. They don't fit into the usual financial structures.
About 35 years ago a small group of young professionals in the San Francisco area saw the need and had a vision to help those who could not get financial support for their projects for the needy and support economic justice. They had experience in banking and real estate. They put up their own money, got assistance from family and friends as well as Dominican sisters in the Bay Area. They started the first community loan fund in Northern California. They lent money to build over 5000 housing units, 200 facilities for human services and created more than 700 jobs. They also offered their time and energy for local community needs. That was 35 years ago; they have been at it ever since. (Check the Northern California Community Loan Fund out on the web to learn of their commitment and success over these decades.)
In today's parable Jesus is talking about finances, investing and taking risks -- big risks. A “talent” was the equivalent of 20 years’ salary for the ordinary worker. The master puts an enormous amount of trust in his servants, and he does not give explicit directions. After entrusting the money, we are told, "Then he went away." The master did not even give them explicit instructions about what they were to do with his money. Instead, he gave them time and the freedom to use their imaginations and ingenuity to invest his money wisely.
Two of them do their job very well. They make an enormous profit, 100% return. So, when the master returns, he praises their work. "Well done good and faithful servant. Come share your master's joy.”
But one of the servants did not do well at all. He hid the owner’s money. The servant handed back the same amount he was given. This servant did not get it. He missed the point. He sadly misjudged the master and acted out of fear. That's not what the master wanted. Not a timid servant paralyzed by fear, but one who would take a chance -- get involved, invest the master's money wisely. And make a profit.
The parable speaks to us today. In many aspects of our lives, we Christians must practice prudence and be thoughtful about the decisions we make. However, there is a "But" in the parable, reminding us of another side of Christian living: not to be afraid to be engaged in the world, practicing our faith, even when it feels risky.
It reminds us of people like Mother Cabrini who started 67 institutions -- hospitals, schools, and orphanages in Italy, the United States, Europe, Central America and South America. At the time she was resisted by the Archbishop of New York. It was a time when women were to "know their place." She took risks, tirelessly reaching out to poor immigrants. She is a model for contemporary people concerned about the welfare of minorities and immigrants in our country. When her sisters protested because Cabrini wanted to start still one more hospital for the needy, she said, "Whose work is it, ours or God's?"
The parable suggests we have been given treasure and have also been given freedom and trust to do what we see we should do, not letting fear or a sense of inadequacy hold us back. People say: "Keep the faith." How? Treat it like it is fragile? Do we not have enough of it? That we will be blamed for failure?
Rather, the parable does not seem to be saying, "Keep the faith," but "Practice the faith.” Engage the world and put your faith into action." It invites risk-taking, addressed to those who have feelings of inadequacy, or fear putting their faith into action. Recall what mother Cabrini said, "Whose work is it, ours or God's? God, like the master, has equipped us and trusted us to discern how we should invest ourselves. The parable is not restrictive, calling us to be cautious. Instead, it invites us to trust and, after our work in the world is done and the master returns, we too will hear, "Well done good and faithful servant."
It's hard to skip over the first reading, which could sound like it is saying, "Women know your place and do it well."
It is a portrait of a woman whose value goes far beyond her physical beauty or appearance. She is hard-working, trustworthy, generous to the poor, faithful to God. The reading concludes, "The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
It reminds us that, "Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting." It suggests physical beauty, popularity, wealth and social standing do not determine a person's wealth. Unlike the world God looks deeper and sees our generosity, our honesty, our faithfulness, and a willingness to serve others.
The woman in Proverbs is not presented merely as someone to admire. She is a model for us and challenges both women and men to ask ourselves, what kind of people are we becoming? We are reminded that God does not measure our worth by our parents, wealth, status, or gender, but calls us to live lives of faithfulness, responsibility, wisdom and love.
The woman in Proverbs reflects today's gospel parable showing us that God does not measure our worth by our appearance, wealth, status, or gender. It is not whether we are women or men, rich or poor, successful or struggling. The question is whether we are using our lives to bring goodness into the world. That is the kind of life worthy of praise, not only in the eyes of others, but in the eyes of God
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: