About Today
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Wednesday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Let us adore the Lord, for it is he who made us.
Year: C(I). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Green.
Other saints: St Roque González and his companions (-1628)
Brazil
Saint Roque González de Santa Cruz was born in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, on 17 November 1576. He came from a noble Spanish family but also spoke the local language, Guaraní, from an early age.
He was ordained priest at the age of 22 and joined the Jesuits in 1609 to work as a missionary. He was the first European to enter the region that is now the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Delicate diplomacy was required to convince the local Indian leaders that he, as a priest, was not there to prepare the way for European settlement of the land.
From 1613 onwards he founded several of the Jesuit ‘reductions’ which brought Indians together to learn to live in settlements. The ‘reductions’ later became part of Brazil as a result of a territorial exchange between the Spanish and Portuguese empires. Because of the support the ‘reductions’ gave the Indians as against the colonial authorities, they were one of the reasons for the suppression of the Jesuits by the Portuguese Empire in the mid-18th century.
In the region of Iyuí (now in Brazil) he had difficulties with the local chieftain and sorcerer (‘cacique’) Nheçu (Spanish ‘Ñezú’), who had him killed on 15 November 1628, along with his Spanish companions Juan de Castillo and Alfonso Rodríguez.
They were beatified in 1934 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on 16 May 1988.
Gospel: Luke 19:11-28 Why then did you not put my money in the bank?
At that time: Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, ‘A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Engage in business until I come.” But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, “Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.” And he said to him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” And the second came, saying, “Lord, your mina has made five minas.” And he said to him, “And you are to be over five cities.” Then another came, saying, “Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” He said to him, “I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?” And he said to those who stood by, “Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.” And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten minas!” “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.” ’
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Reflection on the engraving
The parables of Jesus often mirror the world he lived in, using familiar situations to reveal deeper truths about God and humanity. In today’s parable, a man of wealth entrusts his servants with his money before leaving for a distant country. Two of them invest wisely and make good use of what they’ve been given, but the third hides his share in a piece of cloth, too afraid to take a risk. His fear of losing what he had led him to do nothing at all. Jesus uses this image to challenge us: each of us has been entrusted with gifts and blessings, and God hopes we will use them well. We should not bury our talents in fear, but put them to work in ways that build His kingdom. We have to be fearless!The parables of Jesus often mirror the world he lived in, using familiar situations to reveal deeper truths about God and humanity. In today’s parable, a man of wealth entrusts his servants with his money before leaving for a distant country. Two of them invest wisely and make good use of what they’ve been given, but the third hides his share in a piece of cloth, too afraid to take a risk. His fear of losing what he had led him to do nothing at all. Jesus uses this image to challenge us: each of us has been entrusted with gifts and blessings, and God hopes we will use them well. We should not bury our talents in fear, but put them to work in ways that build His kingdom. We have to be fearless!
The fearful servant reminds us that faith is not about playing it safe. God asks us to act with trust and courage, even when we feel uncertain. Every one of us has received unique gifts, but above all, we have been given the greatest gift of all: Jesus himself. From his fullness, as St John’s Gospel says, “we have all received grace upon grace.” When we live out that grace in love and generosity, our lives become fruitful and alive. The Lord calls us to live boldly and letting love, not fear, shape how we use what we have received.
In Lucas Doetechum’s engraving The Parable of the Talents, circa 1565, we see the seated master, beside a large chest overflowing with coins. Next to him, a scribe carefully records accounts in a ledger, a reminder that all actions will one day be reckoned. To the left of the master stand the two faithful servants, both bearded and confident, presenting the profits they have earned. Their upright postures and calm expressions reflect diligence, responsibility, and integrity. In contrast, the third beardless servant lingers in the background, hesitant and uneasy. He looks away, reluctant to face his master, the weight of fear clearly visible in his eyes. In the distance, figures plough the fields, a poetic detail that ties the parable to everyday life: just as fields must be worked to bear fruit, so too must our talents be cultivated and shared.... allowing our lives to yield a harvest pleasing to God.
The Parable of the Talents,
Engraving by Lucas van Doetechum (active 1554-1572),
Engraving published circa 1565,
Engraving and ink on paper
© Wikimedia
Wednesday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Let us adore the Lord, for it is he who made us.
Year: C(I). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Green.
Other saints: St Roque González and his companions (-1628)
Brazil
Saint Roque González de Santa Cruz was born in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, on 17 November 1576. He came from a noble Spanish family but also spoke the local language, Guaraní, from an early age.
He was ordained priest at the age of 22 and joined the Jesuits in 1609 to work as a missionary. He was the first European to enter the region that is now the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Delicate diplomacy was required to convince the local Indian leaders that he, as a priest, was not there to prepare the way for European settlement of the land.
From 1613 onwards he founded several of the Jesuit ‘reductions’ which brought Indians together to learn to live in settlements. The ‘reductions’ later became part of Brazil as a result of a territorial exchange between the Spanish and Portuguese empires. Because of the support the ‘reductions’ gave the Indians as against the colonial authorities, they were one of the reasons for the suppression of the Jesuits by the Portuguese Empire in the mid-18th century.
In the region of Iyuí (now in Brazil) he had difficulties with the local chieftain and sorcerer (‘cacique’) Nheçu (Spanish ‘Ñezú’), who had him killed on 15 November 1628, along with his Spanish companions Juan de Castillo and Alfonso Rodríguez.
They were beatified in 1934 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on 16 May 1988.
Gospel: Luke 19:11-28 Why then did you not put my money in the bank?
At that time: Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, ‘A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Engage in business until I come.” But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, “Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.” And he said to him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” And the second came, saying, “Lord, your mina has made five minas.” And he said to him, “And you are to be over five cities.” Then another came, saying, “Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” He said to him, “I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?” And he said to those who stood by, “Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.” And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten minas!” “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.” ’
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Reflection on the engraving
The parables of Jesus often mirror the world he lived in, using familiar situations to reveal deeper truths about God and humanity. In today’s parable, a man of wealth entrusts his servants with his money before leaving for a distant country. Two of them invest wisely and make good use of what they’ve been given, but the third hides his share in a piece of cloth, too afraid to take a risk. His fear of losing what he had led him to do nothing at all. Jesus uses this image to challenge us: each of us has been entrusted with gifts and blessings, and God hopes we will use them well. We should not bury our talents in fear, but put them to work in ways that build His kingdom. We have to be fearless!The parables of Jesus often mirror the world he lived in, using familiar situations to reveal deeper truths about God and humanity. In today’s parable, a man of wealth entrusts his servants with his money before leaving for a distant country. Two of them invest wisely and make good use of what they’ve been given, but the third hides his share in a piece of cloth, too afraid to take a risk. His fear of losing what he had led him to do nothing at all. Jesus uses this image to challenge us: each of us has been entrusted with gifts and blessings, and God hopes we will use them well. We should not bury our talents in fear, but put them to work in ways that build His kingdom. We have to be fearless!
The fearful servant reminds us that faith is not about playing it safe. God asks us to act with trust and courage, even when we feel uncertain. Every one of us has received unique gifts, but above all, we have been given the greatest gift of all: Jesus himself. From his fullness, as St John’s Gospel says, “we have all received grace upon grace.” When we live out that grace in love and generosity, our lives become fruitful and alive. The Lord calls us to live boldly and letting love, not fear, shape how we use what we have received.
In Lucas Doetechum’s engraving The Parable of the Talents, circa 1565, we see the seated master, beside a large chest overflowing with coins. Next to him, a scribe carefully records accounts in a ledger, a reminder that all actions will one day be reckoned. To the left of the master stand the two faithful servants, both bearded and confident, presenting the profits they have earned. Their upright postures and calm expressions reflect diligence, responsibility, and integrity. In contrast, the third beardless servant lingers in the background, hesitant and uneasy. He looks away, reluctant to face his master, the weight of fear clearly visible in his eyes. In the distance, figures plough the fields, a poetic detail that ties the parable to everyday life: just as fields must be worked to bear fruit, so too must our talents be cultivated and shared.... allowing our lives to yield a harvest pleasing to God.
The Parable of the Talents,
Engraving by Lucas van Doetechum (active 1554-1572),
Engraving published circa 1565,
Engraving and ink on paper
© Wikimedia