November, 2017 As in every liturgical year, November marks a turning point. We think more intentionally about the end of our lives and the end of time, and focus on what really matters — meaning, purpose, and eternity. This month’s Impact follows the rhythm of this pivotal time, as we prepare to close the liturgical year at the end of this month. We also reflect on our call to be good stewards of all we are, have and will be through the parable of the talents, which we hear on November 19. The article labeled “Called to Return with Increase”on page two of the PDF includes a quote from Pope Francis to which we also referred in the October issue and may be used as a continuation of the reflection we began last month. We pray that you and all in your community will find God’s abundant grace and blessing throughout this month. — Leisa Anslinger and Amberly Boerschinger

Homily Connections

November 5: The final sentences of today’s Gospel are key to Jesus’ teaching and to the Gospel pericopes throughout this month: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” We are called to serve, and to do so as good stewards of our many gifts and blessings.

Connecting with everyday life: My mother always said, “charity begins at home.” I must admit that when I was young, I struggled with this maxim, because I did not understand the full meaning of the word “charity.” If we recognize our call to serve others and to reach out with Christ’s love in all of the circumstances of our lives, then charity at home makes sense. Sometimes it is those to whom we are closest that we are most challenged in fulfilling our call to serve. Yet, if we serve gladly at home, we will find joy in serving beyond our home as well. Explore this with your people today. — LA

November 12: The parable of the wise and foolish virgins requires a little explanation in order for people in our time to appreciate its message, and yet what an important message it is! Jesus tells us we must stay awake, to always be prepared for his return in glory.

Connecting with everyday life: How often do we fall into complacency, failing to live as disciples in our daily lives? As difficult as it is, we must be reminded that we do not know when our final day of earthly life will be, nor do we know the day nor the hour of Christ’s return. Invite your people to reflect on their lives. Are they like the foolish virgins who do not think the groom will come soon, or are they like the wise virgins who are prepared to meet the groom whenever he comes?

November 19: Today’s Gospel includes the parable of the talents. Our reflection on page 2 of the Impact PDF may provide the basis for your reflection in preparation for your homily.

Connecting with everyday life: All of life is a gift, entrusted to us by God. Invite your people to think about this in their own lives. Give examples of how you have learned to be attentive to the many blessings of God in your life. Offer specific examples of how using your talents has provided opportunities for you to give glory to God through your caring and sharing. Remind your people that acknowledging our gifts is not about pride or lack of humility, but rather is a way of thanking God for his abundant grace and blessing.

November 26: Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and the end of the liturgical year. In today’s readings, we are presented with the image of the good shepherd who seeks out the lost, brings back those who have strayed, and heals the sick. Then, we hear in the Gospel that we are to do these very things. As people who are joined to Christ in Baptism, we are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and visit those who are in prison.

Connecting with everyday life: Living as members of Christ’s Body is not always easy. In fact, it is difficult by design! Christ, who is king and Lord sacrificed everything for our sake. He is our model for living. Today, we recognize the demands of discipleship and give thanks for the salvation which is offered through our Lord Jesus Christ. Invite your people to hear the call of today’s Gospel through their lived experience each day. How do they feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.? How do they live as people who are under the kingship of Christ, who is shepherd, servant, and master?

At Parish Meetings or in Adult Faith Formation this Month

Opening Prayer (Read together, or sing with a familiar setting of Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.In verdant pastures he give me repose.Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (PS 23: 1-2, 2-3, 5-6)

Listen to Sacred Scripture: MT 25:14-26

Read: Read Called to Return with Increase

Share: your thoughts, using these questions to guide your reflection:

What ideals of service enlarge your heart?

What riches have been entrusted to you? How do you make your gifts fruitful by sharing, service, and caring for others?

Commit: Be attentive to your gifts and talents this month, and resolve to grow as a good steward of all you are, have, and will be.

Offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?“The greatest among you must be your servant.”

In the month of November, the Gospels call us to focus on the ultimate things of life: Meaning. Purpose. Eternity. We are reminded that what really matters to God is not what is always viewed as important in the world. While we might measure a person’s worth by their wealth, influence, power, or prestige, Jesus has a much different gauge of importance. Ultimately, what matters in the eyes of God is what we have done with our lives, talents, and resources, and how we have used what we have in service of others.

WHATEVER YOU DO FOR THE LEAST ONES“Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

As Jesus neared the end of his earthly ministry, he drew his disciples to himself to talk about what really matters in life. In the final chapters of the Gospel of St. Matthew, from which we read this month, Jesus tells us to be ready for Christ’s return, and explains that we will be judged on how we have treated others, especially those most in need: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me….Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” BRINGING THIS HOMEIt is the time of the year when families gather for special meals; parishes collect food and clothing for the poor; and co-workers come together socially. At times, the gatherings are filled with love. Sometimes, tension or disagreement mark such moments. Stay focused on what really matters as you join with family and friends this season. Go out of your way to serve others with a glad and thankful heart, and know that in doing so, you are fulfilling your call as a follower of Jesus Christ.

© ️Catholic Life and Faith, 2017

IMPACT THIS MONTHN O V E M B E R 1 & 2All Saints and All SoulsThe feasts of All Saints and All Souls celebrate those who have gone before us in faith. We recognize those who lived saintly lives and pray for those who have died.Who inspires you to live and grow in faith?

N o v e m b e r 2 3ThanksgivingThanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to reflect on your blessings and to share with those who are in need.For what are you most grateful this year? What will you share in grateful response?

CALLED TO RETURN WITH INCREASEOn the surface, the parable of the talents, which we hear on November 19, is a story about

three servants who are charged with the care of their master’s money. Like all parables, however, the story Jesus tells has a much deeper meaning. It is a story of who we are as people who have been entrusted with much — life, gifts, talents, and resources. In the parable, two of the servants multiply their master’s riches, while one buries his talent, returning it as it was to the master upon his return. While the one who buried his talents is called

wicked and lazy, those who increased what was entrusted to them are regarded as “good and faithful servants.”

Clearly, the master intends for us to use what we have been given and use it well, to make it fruitful and return it with increase to the Lord. “Each will be measured by the standard of his or her individual vocation. Each has received a different “sum”—a unique mix of talents, opportunities, challenges, weaknesses and strengths, potential modes of service and response—on which the Master expects a return. He will judge individuals according to what they have done with what they were given.” (SDR, p. 20)

How do we multiply what we have been given? By giving it away. This is what Jesus perfectly models and what we are to be about. Jesus emptied himself for the sake of all. He shows us that such giving is the way of the kingdom of God. Pope Francis helps us reflect on this in our own lives: “In this period of crisis today, it is important not to turn in on ourselves, burying our own talent, our spiritual, intellectual, and material riches,

“Set your stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the ideals of service that make your talents fruitful.” Pope Francis, 2013

everything that the Lord has given us; but rather to open ourselves, to be supportive, to be attentive to others. Set your stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the ideals of service that make your talents fruitful. Life is not given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given to us so that we may give it in turn.” (April 24, 2013)

What talent, spiritual, intellectual, and material riches have been entrusted to you? How do you use your talents and gifts in your daily life? What material resources do you have that others need?

In what ways do you make your gifts fruitful by sharing, service, and caring for others? How might you challenge yourself to more fully return with increase to the Lord all that has been entrusted to you?

© ️Catholic Life and Faith, 2017

“Life is not given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given to us so that we may give it in turn.” Pope Francis, 2013