Presence

God, You are nearer than I dare believe, closer than my own breath. I am blessed by Your Intimate Nearness, and I need not fear.

Freedom

If God were trying to tell me something, would I know?
If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice?
I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations
and open to what God may be saying to me.

Consciousness

Conscious of Your presence, Lord,
I look over my recent past.
Let me be honest with myself about how I’ve been
and what I’ve done,
because I know You love truth in the heart
and accept me just as I am.

The Word of God

¹¹As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. ¹²So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant region to receive royal power for himself and then return. ¹³He summoned ten of his slaves and gave them ten pounds and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ ¹⁴But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ ¹⁵When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves to whom he had given the money to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by doing business. ¹⁶The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ ¹⁷He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ ¹⁸Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ ¹⁹He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ ²⁰Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, ²¹for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ ²²He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³Why, then, did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ ²⁴He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ ²⁵(And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ²⁶‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to rule over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’ ”

²⁸After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Inspiration

Jesus was near Jerusalem. His listeners did not understand the Kingdom of God and they did not want to have Jesus rule over them. The parable highlights the different relationships and responses. Lord, give us a better understanding so that we can be more responsible members of your kingdom.

Jesus saw the poor response of many of his listeners and wanted to bring them to their senses. May we appreciate the gifts we have been given so that we might use them well to bring forth fruit in Jesus’ name.

Conversation

On reflecting on today’s Gospel, is there anything I believe God wants me to hear or know at this time? What truth does He want to speak into my life today?

Conclusion

I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.

Amen