Many people struggle with projects when there is no deadline.

Because there is no particular time it must be done, there is often the temptation to leave it, to do other things.Today’s readings seemingly give us a task that falls into such a category.

Jesus gives us the image of a Master who entrusts his possessions to his servants. I think we often skip over to the actions of the servants at this point, and miss this central element of the story: The master entrusts his possessions to them! Jesus is calling us to recognize that God has entrusted us with his gifts, and we must use these gifts to multiply what he has entrusted to us. This is a serious task, and many of us have likely struggled to act with the urgency such a task demands.

These readings offer us two other images to help us to see this work more clearly. Proverbs beautifully describes the how of this work – with diligence and care, the worthy wife takes the gifts entrusted to her and works with loving hands to multiply good; and Saint Paul points out that, as Christians, we know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.

And yet, we think to ourselves, “Sounds great, maybe, but right now I need to focus on other things.” So often, there is the temptation to turn our attention to God’s work…later.  Maybe when the children are older, we can follow up on that idea the Holy Spirit keeps prompting us with. Maybe when we’ve gotten to a certain place in our career, we can start volunteering for that ministry we’ve always felt drawn to.  Maybe when …maybe when….  

We have been entrusted with the possessions of our Lord – with time, with skills and personal gifts, with experiences and perspective. We’re blessed with relationships, with material goods and, most importantly, with the love and grace of God poured out to us in the sacraments and through the Church. We have been given everything. And we know Christ will come again. There is no “maybe when,” there is only “now!”

Where are we being called to participate in God’s work to multiply goodness in our world? What is the call from God that we have been hesitating to answer? God wants to give us all we need to shine the glory of his light into our corner of the world. Let us open our hearts in this Eucharist to receive God’s grace and strength so that we, too, may be faithful in small matters and great responsibilities.

Fr. Michał Pająk, OMI
Nov. 15, 2026