Fr. Justin Mpuruta sx
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we celebrate the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on how we have lived our faith throughout the year and how we can prepare for the new year.
In today's Gospel (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus gives us the Parable of the Talents. The first two servants invested what they received and gained more. When their master returned, they presented their gains with joy. However, the third servant, because of laziness, suspicion, and indifference, did nothing with what he had received.
He represents those who take their faith for granted and those who are afraid to take initiatives that could benefit others. Instead, they spend their days doing nothing, procrastinating, and wasting opportunities. Such mediocrity and lack of wisdom do not please God.
The problem is not the number of talents God has given us, but the trust He has placed in us. What have we done with that trust? Are we making good use of the particular mission He has entrusted to us?
From the beginning of creation, God entrusted humanity with a mission. Genesis 1:27 tells us: “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.”
God created us with the ability to carry out His mission faithfully and responsibly. He blessed us and gave us the freedom and abilities to fulfil this responsibility (Genesis 1:28).
Each of us has a particular vocation to use our lives for God's glory and the well-being of all creation. We have eyes, ears, hands, feet, minds, and wills, all given to us for a purpose. If we fail to use these gifts wisely, they may become useless. However, God does not judge us by what we do not have. He knows our weaknesses and gives us the strength and grace we need.
Connecting this Gospel to the first reading from Proverbs 31:10–13, 19–20, 30–31, which describes a virtuous wife and mother who faithfully dedicates herself to her family, we are invited to live wisely, keeping in mind the purpose and final destination of our lives.
We are reminded that we are stewards of God's Kingdom. Therefore, we must remain committed and responsible, with constancy, courage, dedication, and perseverance.
This is why St. Paul, in the second reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1–6), encourages us to stay awake and sober because we do not know when Christ will come again.
Stay awake to who you are: an image of God. Make good use of the time He has given you. When you know yourself, your Creator, your talents, and your mission, you become grateful. You become creative and faithful, working with God and others. You also become prepared for His coming without anxiety or fear of the future.
There is a saying that nobody gives what they do not have. When I was ordained a priest on July 12, 2026, I chose this phrase from St. Paul as my life motto: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
This is also the reminder we receive from today's Gospel. Knowing who you are and recognising your talents makes you grateful and humble.
This attitude helps us avoid three temptations: pride or presumption, excessive attachment to material things, and laziness, which is the mother of jealousy.
As a Kirundi proverb reminds us: “Obukene buvwa m’umutwe” (Poverty comes from the head). Let us therefore make good use of the opportunities we have, with gratitude and creativity, always relying on God's grace.
Today, technology is also one of the talents entrusted to us. We must discern how best to use it. Pope Leo, in his encyclical letter Magnificat Humanitas, calls us to use technology to heal, connect, educate, and protect our common home rather than allowing it to divide us, exclude others, and create new forms of injustice and war.
Let us also encourage those who feel weak or incapable, reminding them that they, too, have something valuable to contribute to humanity, the Church, and the whole of creation.
May the Lord bless us all and bring to fulfilment the wonderful work He has begun in us. May we trust in Him as He has trusted us since the beginning of our lives. May we continue building His Kingdom of justice and peace without fear or shame.
And may the Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom and understanding, helping us to act responsibly and live our mission joyfully.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be known and loved by all.
Amen.a
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we celebrate the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on how we have lived our faith throughout the year and how we can prepare for the new year.
In today's Gospel (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus gives us the Parable of the Talents. The first two servants invested what they received and gained more. When their master returned, they presented their gains with joy. However, the third servant, because of laziness, suspicion, and indifference, did nothing with what he had received.
He represents those who take their faith for granted and those who are afraid to take initiatives that could benefit others. Instead, they spend their days doing nothing, procrastinating, and wasting opportunities. Such mediocrity and lack of wisdom do not please God.
The problem is not the number of talents God has given us, but the trust He has placed in us. What have we done with that trust? Are we making good use of the particular mission He has entrusted to us?
From the beginning of creation, God entrusted humanity with a mission. Genesis 1:27 tells us: “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.”
God created us with the ability to carry out His mission faithfully and responsibly. He blessed us and gave us the freedom and abilities to fulfil this responsibility (Genesis 1:28).
Each of us has a particular vocation to use our lives for God's glory and the well-being of all creation. We have eyes, ears, hands, feet, minds, and wills, all given to us for a purpose. If we fail to use these gifts wisely, they may become useless. However, God does not judge us by what we do not have. He knows our weaknesses and gives us the strength and grace we need.
Connecting this Gospel to the first reading from Proverbs 31:10–13, 19–20, 30–31, which describes a virtuous wife and mother who faithfully dedicates herself to her family, we are invited to live wisely, keeping in mind the purpose and final destination of our lives.
We are reminded that we are stewards of God's Kingdom. Therefore, we must remain committed and responsible, with constancy, courage, dedication, and perseverance.
This is why St. Paul, in the second reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1–6), encourages us to stay awake and sober because we do not know when Christ will come again.
Stay awake to who you are: an image of God. Make good use of the time He has given you. When you know yourself, your Creator, your talents, and your mission, you become grateful. You become creative and faithful, working with God and others. You also become prepared for His coming without anxiety or fear of the future.
There is a saying that nobody gives what they do not have. When I was ordained a priest on July 12, 2026, I chose this phrase from St. Paul as my life motto: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
This is also the reminder we receive from today's Gospel. Knowing who you are and recognising your talents makes you grateful and humble.
This attitude helps us avoid three temptations: pride or presumption, excessive attachment to material things, and laziness, which is the mother of jealousy.
As a Kirundi proverb reminds us: “Obukene buvwa m’umutwe” (Poverty comes from the head). Let us therefore make good use of the opportunities we have, with gratitude and creativity, always relying on God's grace.
Today, technology is also one of the talents entrusted to us. We must discern how best to use it. Pope Leo, in his encyclical letter Magnificat Humanitas, calls us to use technology to heal, connect, educate, and protect our common home rather than allowing it to divide us, exclude others, and create new forms of injustice and war.
Let us also encourage those who feel weak or incapable, reminding them that they, too, have something valuable to contribute to humanity, the Church, and the whole of creation.
May the Lord bless us all and bring to fulfilment the wonderful work He has begun in us. May we trust in Him as He has trusted us since the beginning of our lives. May we continue building His Kingdom of justice and peace without fear or shame.
And may the Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom and understanding, helping us to act responsibly and live our mission joyfully.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be known and loved by all.
Amen.a