This is the last Sunday until January 14, the Sunday following the feast of the Epiphany, that the priest will be wearing a green chasuble. For next Sunday, the liturgical color is white or gold for the Feast of Christ the King. And the Sunday after that, the green of Ordinary Time is replaced with the purple of Advent.
In fact, we already we see a lot less green, don’t we, out in nature—as winter nears? Green is the color of growth, and during Ordinary Time, we are concerned with the spiritual growth of the soul. And, so liturgical green reminds us of the need to engage in those spiritual practices which bring growth to our souls: prayer, meditation, study, and works of mercy.
As we come to the end of the season of ordinary growth, it’s good to make a bit of a spiritual inventory. Did you experience spiritual growth this past season? If not, why not? Have you grown in the things that matter, that matter to God? Charity, Knowledge, wisdom, understanding, fortitude, fear of the Lord, faith, hope, love, patience, gentleness, generosity, and joy? If not, why not? Compared to last year, have you made good use of the time you’ve been given by God?
Ask God today that question? What have I done well, this past season? What has worked for my spiritual life, what hasn’t?
In the Gospel, this same question is asked by the master: What have you done with the talents given to you? Did you multiply them or did you bury them? Did you cultivate them or did you neglect them? Did you courageously utilize them or did you fearfully hide them?
What should we have done with our talents and time? Well, the first reading this weekend paints the picture of a holy woman, who makes good use of her time. She uses her natural skills and talents to bring goodness to her family and her community. She is industrious, generous, and charitable.
Here is a picture of what St. Josemaria Escriva would call “the saint of the ordinary”—“the saint of the ordinary”—one who seeks holiness in the ordinary things of life—in every day living—and this is a calling each one of us are meant to pursue: faithfulness and holiness, in the ordinary matters which God places under our care—in the role of spouse, parent, neighbor, friend, and fellow parishioner.
“She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.” The woman of proverbs here is dutiful in the tasks of the household, the quiet activities that take place outside the public eye.
In an age where so many people seek internet celebrity for doing things that are out of the ordinary, Christians need to seek holiness in the ordinary. To many the ordinary seems unfulfilling and unmeaningful. But notice, that for the holy woman of proverbs, her activities constitute the network of care and support that keeps the entire community alive and together: her husband, her children, her servants, even the poor of the neighborhood flourish because of her dutifulness.
We see so many internet posts and social-media cries for attention that really add so very little than noise to the good of the world. They are entertaining distractions, but they add nothing that is of lasting and needed value.
What an age in which we live in which the idea of the holy virtuous wife and mother is derided. Rather, this reading calls us to recognize the heroism of women and men who do ordinary things with love and dutifulness which forms the basis of society and our day-to-day Christian witness, without which, there is no hope. Christians need to show the world fascinated by TikTok internet celebrity, the incalculable value of authentic human relationships like motherhood, neighbor, and friend, and ordinary, even hidden good deeds.
A culture that teaches young people to sacrifice family for fame and wealth, is an empty, corrupt culture. So Christians need to be that purifying force society needs by seeking radical holiness in all of our duties and relationships.
Proverbs began, “the worthy wife’s value is beyond pearls.” What does scripture mean, she is worthy? To be worthy is to be full of worth. While it is true that every human person is full of worth because they are created in the image and likeness of God, not everything we do is worthwhile. Not everything we do is worthy of our human dignity and our call to holiness.
What makes the wife of proverbs worthy is that she uses her time in activities that are full of worth for others, they are worthwhile pursuits in the eyes of God.
Now again, our culture says, I am the judge of what is worthwhile, I determine value. I create my own reality. I say what is good. But that is false. That is a lie. God is the author of creation. And what is worthy is measured against His Will.
But what is worthy and worthwhile in the eyes of God is ultimately what gives us meaning. Sin and selfishness leave us empty. Error darkens our intellect, immorality weakens our will, sin defaces our human dignity. But trurth, goodness, and beauty fill us, with the life of God.
The woman of proverbs “reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.” And in doing so she has discovered that meaning, fulfillment, and joy, are found, not when we cling selfishly to our talents, but when we give them away, when we give ourselves away.
Advent soon approaches, and we all know how busy Advent can be. With parties and shopping and baking and wrapping and decorating. But, all of the busyness can lead to much emptiness if we do not keep Christ at the center of it all. Do small things with great love, being mindful of God. Advent is to be a very meditative season, where we are mindful of He who comes in the name of the Lord. So, make extra time this Advent for meditation upon the Scriptures, asking God how you might open wide the doors to Christ in the concrete details—the ordinary and extraordinary details of your life.
Coming to weekday mass, just once more a week can really infuse Advent with much more grace than previous years. And so importantly, if it’s been a few months or years, make a good examination of conscience and Sacramental Confession. We carry around way much unhappiness due to unconfessed sins. Unconfessed sins as a result of unexamined lives is a source of great sadness for the Church.
In the Responsorial Psalm today, we sang “Blessed are those who fear the Lord” We should fear offending God, we should fear misusing the time and talents he’s given us. For we hear the consequences of the wicked, lazy servant who misuses his time: he is cast to the outer darkness where there is wailing and grinding of teeth. So, let us cultivate healthy, holy fear, holy reverence, holy obedience, and holy surrender to God in the ordinary and extraordinary dimensions of our lives for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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