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One of the time-tested ways to pray with Scripture is called Lectio Divina, which simply means Divine reading in Latin. The heart of this method is to slowly read the bible passage and pay attention to whatever word stands out or which image comes to mind. Strangely enough, the idea that kept coming to my mind as I read the first reading from Proverbs was that it is sort of like the Old Testament equivalent of Beyonce’s famous song, “Single Ladies”, AKA “Put a ring on it”. In this pop hit which made her famous, Beyonce basically tells her former boyfriend, who is jealous that she is enjoying a night out on the town, that if he thought she was so great and wanted her all to himself, then he should have put a ring on her finger. In a tone both defiant and triumphant, Beyonce makes it clear that her ex should never have let her slip away.
In a similar fashion, the author of Proverbs sings the praises of a worthy wife. She is one who can be trusted with her husband’s heart, she is worthy of admiration because she is skillful, kind, resourceful, and generous. Her value is beyond price and she is a blessing to the members of her household and strangers alike. Everything she does is full of purpose and brings joy to her husband. We can almost hear the writer saying, “don’t let someone like this get away! If you like her, put a ring on her finger and treat her right!!” Good advice for sure but how do we apply it to our relationship with God?
In the parable presented by Jesus, two servants are praised while one is condemned. What sets them apart? The two who are commended and rewarded take the master’s treasure, that which is most precious to him, and immediately do something worthwhile with it. They are not afraid to take a risk to increase the gift entrusted to them because they understand the master’s heart. He doesn’t even have to tell them what to do because they anticipate what will bring him joy. This is a relationship of love, respect, and trust. Their hearts and desires are one; much like the synergy of mind and heart seen between spouses that know, love, and serve each other. Because of these sacred qualities, blessings abound and both parties flourish in ways that seem almost too good to be true.
God has entrusted incredible treasure to each and every one of us. He has given us material goods, spiritual gifts, and countless blessings which come directly from his loving heart. We are called to be like the worthy wife of the first reading, who respects and reverences the heart of her beloved. We are called to be resourceful, skillful, kind, generous, and loving with the gifts that surround us. Most importantly, we are called to interact with God from a place of love, trust, and gratitude, confident in his care and eager to do the things we know will please him. We should be constantly thinking of those things we know will bring joy to God’s heart and seeking ways to make them a reality. That is what a worthy wife does for her beloved and that is why she is a treasure to her husband and all in her household. Anyone who has ever been in love knows how diligently one strives to gladden the heart of their beloved with gifts, affirmations, signs of affection, and sweet surprises. Do we do the same for God who has already entrusted so much of his heart to us?!
The servant who incurs the wrath of his master is punished, not because he produced less but because he acted out of fear. Instead of loving the one who entrusted the talent to him, he buries that treasure and fails to take the initiative. He sees the master as a tyrant, a taskmaster, rather than a dear friend who has entrusted his greatest treasure to his care. Fear, not love, rules his heart. As St. John says in one of his letters to the early church, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” All three of the characters in the parable are given something incredible and meaningful; far beyond what they were owed or would be expected to receive.
We should also take care to avoid entering into a relationship of spiritual fear and slavery with God. This can very easily begin when we start comparing ourselves to others and wondering why God gave them gifts we don’t see in ourselves. Whatever blessings and talents have been entrusted to us are far more than we deserve or earn. And each of us have more than enough to provide a handsome return on the investment God makes in us! So, assuming an attitude of gratitude already puts us on the path to loving God and honoring him by the way we use our blessings. Secondly, the talents we have received must make a return to the Lord and his kingdom. They are not entrusted to us only for ourselves but should be used in a manner that gladdens God’s heart and builds up his household. When we allow God to work through us, there is this incredible multiplication where there is more than enough for us, our families, and others. It’s an incredible thing and it looks different for every person but I see it over and over again, “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.”
So, let’s make sure we take some time this week to reflect on our relationship with God. Are we honoring the sacred trust he puts in us by loving him in what we do and how we live? Are we seeking ways to bring gladness to his heart and make a return on the talents entrusted to us? May we never hesitate to love the one who sees so much in us and who is always worthy of all that we have and all that we are.
