Homily for Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

In the parable, one of the servants saw his master in a negative light. He believed him to be a demanding man who reaped where he had not sown. In his perspective and fear, the servant did nothing with what he had been given. However, the other two servants had a much more charitable view of their master. As a result, they were free to take initiative and even take risks with what they had been given.

Jesus revealed God as being infinitely generous. He demonstrated that God's goodness leaves us amazed and that God remains faithful even when we are not. Jesus did not reveal a god waiting for us to fail, as the third servant viewed his master. Instead, Jesus showed us that God wants us to take risks and that we remain in His love whether or not we succeed.

God's unfailing love should encourage us to take risks with the gifts we have received from Him. The first letter of John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. We should not be paralyzed by fear like the third servant in the parable. God, who has blessed us abundantly, expects us to share our blessings generously and trust Him with the rest.