Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; and Matthew 25:14-30. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 128 (Psalm 128:1-5).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm (PSALM 128 Blessed are those who Fear the LORD) 33rd Sunday

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one - to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

Reflections on these readings:

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D: Parable of the Talents

Msgr. Charles Pope: We Choose the Fear of the Lord – A Meditation on the Gospel for the 33rd Sunday of the Year (12 NOV 11)

Dr. Scott Hahn: Settling Accounts (November 13th, 2011 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The Happy Priest: The Happy Priest on the Parable of the Talents: We Need to Live Ready (12 NOV 11)

The Sacred Page: Faithfulness in the Small Matters: The Readings for the 33d Sunday in Ordinary Time (11 NOV 11)

The New Theological Movement: Why does God give to some five and to others only one talent? (12 NOV 11)

The Word Embodied: Stewardship (Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time A)

Dominican Daily: Sirius XM Radio: Word to Life: November 11, 2011