would return. Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds.
He said: ‘Put this money to work until I get back.’
He returned, however, appointed as king. At once he sent for the servants to whom he had
given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and reported: ‘Sir,
your pound has earned ten more.’ The master replied: ‘Well done, my good servant. Since
you have proved yourself capable in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.
’ The second reported, ‘Sir, your pound and silver earned five more pounds of silver.
The master replied, And you take charge of five cities.”
The third came in and said: Sir, here is your money which I hid for safekeeping. I was afraid
of you for you are an exacting person; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what
you did not sow.’ ”The master replied: ‘You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own
words.
”Then the master said to those standing by: ‘Take from him that pound, and give it to the
one with ten pounds.’ ‘I tell you: everyone who has will be given more; but from those who
have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
Reflect
If you look at the greeting cards and ads that come out each year for Mother’s Day, you’ll
notice that they all seem very soft and fluffy. Mom is gentle, loving, a good cook, kind when
you are ill, a soft shoulder when you need to cry, and caring all the time. I have never seen
a Mother’s Day card that reflects the mom we see in today’s first reading who encourages
her sons to embrace martyrdom for their faith. I suppose that her example won’t sell enough
flowers and chocolate.
A parent’s job is to prepare their children for a life that will lead them to heaven. That is what
the mother of seven sons did. Despite her own pain and crushing sorrow, she gave her sons
the strength they needed to hold fast to their faith, trusting that God would reward them with
eternal life. After watching her entire family suffer horrible deaths, she bravely faced her own
death. While we and our children will likely never face threats of martyrdom, our faith will be
challenged. Parents and trusted adults should help the young people in their charge hold to
their beliefs with courage and commitment.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023