tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post113183557881495685..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Will you pass the test? (Sunday homily)Fr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1132115203999178802005-11-15T23:26:00.000-05:002005-11-15T23:26:00.000-05:00Father,I just recently discovered your blog and ha...Father,<BR/>I just recently discovered your blog and have dropped by a few times. I have really appreciated several of the homilies you've posted on your blog. Wish I could drop by your parish some Sunday. Thanks for sharing your homily. I think that's one of the great blessings of the internet: even if I get a less than inspiring homily (or even nod off a bit) I can still find good reflections on God's word to nourish me through the week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131912299234370492005-11-13T15:04:00.000-05:002005-11-13T15:04:00.000-05:00Mrs. Darwin:Several places I consulted for comment...Mrs. Darwin:<BR/><BR/>Several places I consulted for commentary on this passage said that our use of the word "talent" arises because of this passage. <BR/><BR/>The Greek word here is (from memory, forgive me) "talenton" -- i.e., the original meaning was as a unit of money (which the text makes clear); the talenta ($) were distributed "based on ability"; but the approval of the Master was the same for the one with $5,000, and the one with $2,000 -- and potentially would have been true for the $1,000 (the dollar figures are anachronistic--just for clarity).<BR/><BR/>The homilies I recall on this passage always seem to end up stressing the "use your talents" idea -- i.e., sing, or write, or do whatever, for the Lord. Of course this is a good exhortation, but -- as you can see -- I wanted to make a different one.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131911978667324032005-11-13T14:59:00.000-05:002005-11-13T14:59:00.000-05:00pontificator:You're very kind, and I really do enj...pontificator:<BR/><BR/>You're very kind, and I really do enjoy this conversation. <BR/><BR/>It has happened enough times, that I've had a homily I thought was not so good, that others thought was wonderful, that I just go with it. <BR/><BR/>The second time I preached this, I left in the section on the worthy wife, because it gave me an opportunity -- whether smooth or not -- to transition to the Church and the Eucharist. <BR/><BR/>I lacked time to check, but I'd enjoy finding out whether any allegorical interpretation of that passage ever saw the worthy wife as a type of the Church.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131909799616923122005-11-13T14:23:00.000-05:002005-11-13T14:23:00.000-05:00Again, thanks for sharing the homily, even if you'...Again, thanks for sharing the homily, even if you're not terribly proud of it.Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821114457286711438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131909653900008522005-11-13T14:20:00.000-05:002005-11-13T14:20:00.000-05:00I really appreciate you posting your homilies. I ...I really appreciate you posting your homilies. I get more out of reading and reflection than by listening. I always thought that it was very interesting that talent has this double meaning. I always took this gospel to be pressing us to think about what we are doing with the gifts God gave us, our own talents. Do we keep our gifts hidden inside or do we share them with the world. In sharing, we gain practice and our talents grow. In the fullness of time, we will all have to give an account of how we used our gifts. I always find it very challenging to think that one servant gave the master 4 talents and was called "good and faithful;" however, from the one who was given more, more was expected in return. As thanksgiving approaches, it's good to remember how much we've been blessed, but also weigh whether we are using those blessings in the service of God.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17838676594500396265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131909392578420972005-11-13T14:16:00.000-05:002005-11-13T14:16:00.000-05:00Father, I came upon your blog though a web of web...Father, I came upon your blog though a web of web sites. It's like a 6 degrees of separation type thing. I'm somewhat new to the church after having been a non-demominational Protestant for 12 years, but was raised and have been confirmed Catholic. I noticed you were Pentecostal and returned to the church, which I find intriguing. I'm anxious to keep up with your blog. <BR/>Take care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1131895430663130202005-11-13T10:23:00.000-05:002005-11-13T10:23:00.000-05:00Pontificator:Thanks for visiting and your good com...Pontificator:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for visiting and your good comments!<BR/><BR/>I think you make fair points.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps I am "Pelagi-phobic" -- I try very hard to stress God's action, and our response. <BR/><BR/>I suppose, in years to come, if I start hearing from people, "Ok, father, we <I>get</I> it!" then I'll feel freer to stress law a little more!<BR/><BR/>I wasn't entirely happy with this homily, to be honest (and I have another shot at 11:30 this morning!) -- I felt the readings pulling me in three different directions. And it was a week in which I wondered if I'd get time to prepare it.<BR/><BR/>Not excusing, nor complaining; but since I choose to post my homilies, I might as well reveal some of the behind-the-scenes realities as well.<BR/><BR/>I.e., to others reading -- if you think your pastor's homily is kinda "off" this week, it might have been a tough week for him. You never know.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.com