Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 19, 2025

Date: Wednesday of the 33^rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So, he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, 'We do not want this man to be our king.'

But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, 'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.' He replied, 'Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.' Then the second came and reported, 'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.' And to this servant too he said, 'You, take charge of five cities.'

Then the other servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.' He said to him, 'With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.' And to those standing by he said, 'Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.'

But they said to him, 'Sir, he has ten gold coins.' He replied, 'I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today recounts one of Jesus’ more challenging parables. The parable is a call to use what the LORD give to us as gifts, graces, and talents well. The servants who do this, prosper and are given more. But to the servant who hid what was given to him because of fear, the Master takes what little he had away as a penalty for the servant’s inaction.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I fully use what the LORD has given to me or do I hide it for fear of my gifts being rejected by others?

Praying:

LORD, I thank You for the many gifts, graces, and talents that You have given to me. Send your Spirit to help me use these gifts for love of You and for your glory. Grant that I may never let fear of failure or of another’s judgment keep me from using your gifts well. Amen.