Blessings and Gifts Entrusted to Us

Prayer-Soldier

Blessings and Gifts Entrusted to Us

Scripture:

Who shall find a valiant woman? Far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life. She has sought wool and flax, and has wrought by the counsel of her hands.

She has put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She has opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)

But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall so come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say: Peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. For all you are the children of light and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do: but let us watch, and be sober. (1 Thessalonian 5:1-6)

For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods; and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same and gained another five. And in like manner he that had received the two gained another two. But he that had received the one, going his way, dug into the earth and hid the money of his Lord. But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them.

And he that had received the five talents coming, brought another five talents, saying: Lord, you did deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained another five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things. Enter you into the joy of your lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, you delivered two talents to me. Behold I have gained another two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because you have been faithful over a few things, I will place you over many things. Enter you into the joy of your lord. But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that you are a hard man; you reap where you have not sown and gather where you have not strewn. And being afraid, I went and hid your talent in the earth. Behold here you have that which is yours.

And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sow not and gather where I have not strewn. You ought therefore to have committed my money to the bankers: and at my coming I should have received my own with interest. Take you away therefore the talent from him and give it to him that has ten talents. For to every one that has shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that has not, that also which he seems to have shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant, cast you out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14-30)

Reflection:

He made them male and female. He made them so that they would leave their parents to join and become one flesh. He made them so that in their union, they would partner together from which the generations would be raised and the sacrament of His love would be shared across souls.

Blessed is the man who finds a faithful wife; faithful to him and to God, for she shall bring blessings to him and his path. She will bring the blessings of God to the family and help him raise children of faith. Blessed is the woman who finds a faithful husband; faithful to her and to God, for he shall bring blessings to her and her path. He will bring the blessings of God to the family and help her raise children of faith.

This is as He created us and His desire of the sacrament of marriage He has given us, but the world tears at the fabric of the love He intended for the family. The evil one seeks to tear apart those who have given vows to one another in love, as husband and wife, so that ultimately they are torn from God. He introduces selfish desires which close the heart; and the souls which come to this world from the union of man and woman are also brought to suffer. The selfish man will take his wife for granted and the selfish woman will no longer care for her husband. Only as the two approach each other in selflessness will they find the blessings of the commandments to which they are called to serve; the commandments of love. As they invite God into their marriage, they will find the strength through which to turn from the seductions of the evil one. As they invite God into their marriage, the souls which come from their union will be raised with the blessings of faith and the strength of His Word through which they too may face the world. They will be forged with love to assume their place in raising the generations through the vocation of marriage or religious.

The faithful man and the faithful wife shall be seen, not by what they say, but by what they do. As they live in fulfillment of His commandments; they will share with each other in love, they will raise their children in love, they will share blessings with those who cross their paths and the paths of their children. Blessed is the man whose wife takes care of him through the joys and storms of life. Blessed is the woman whose husband takes care of her through all blessings and tribulations. Blessed are the husband and wife who turn to God to guide their paths, for He will smooth the storms and tribulations and fill their hearts with joys and blessings.

The moments by which we spend our time are short. If we are to prepare ourselves for the time of His coming, then, we must take care as to the vigor by which we lead our lives. If we do not seek to understand His Word, we shall not be prepared for the moment He seeks for us to explain how we have spent the moments of our days.

We are tempted to believe the morrow is far away; therefore, we often waste the day at hand. We leave the purpose He has for us to another day and fail to take advantage of today. Soon enough, the morrow shall be here and the question shall be, to what purpose did we live? Will we have squandered our time in vain moments, or will we have made a difference in the paths we have crossed? Will we have sought the pursuits of the world or the path of His will?

To each of us He has granted special talents. He has spread our gifts among many so that we would not seek our path alone, rather the blessing of sharing as we travel our way. He made us so that one generation would raise another. To each of us, He has given a portion of His love to see how we might make it grow.

We may be content with selfish endeavors; but selfishness does not share, it does not help one to grow, it only becomes an emptiness which one eventually wearies and tires from trying to fill. Blessed are those who walk selfless paths, for through their giving they also receive. Selflessness yields fruit for many and provides nourishment for the heart that receives as well as the one which gives. As hands join together, talents and blessings are shared.

Blessed are those who seek to share of the talents He has given them, for in their sharing, others will receive of His blessings. What we do in care for another is an investment in their soul. As we let His light shine through us, we are also blessed. The evil one will seek for us to hide or squander the gifts we receive from God, for what we do not share cannot be passed from heart to heart.

Blessed are those who wake each day in prayer and who ask for Him to guide them. He will not deny them. He will speak to the heart and guide their paths so that they have the strength to face the challenges before them and the heart to share blessings with those who cross their path. In this way, what He has invested in the children of His creation shall bear the fruit of fulfilled and eternal souls.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier