(Prv.31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Ps.128:1-5; 1Thes.5:1-6; Mt.25:14-30) "When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls." And so the Lord is pleased to bless His "good and faithful servant[s]"; for His Church is as His Bride and Her faithful members He invites to share His joy. With more than the talents of "a man going on a journey" are we entrusted by the Lord. To us He is more like the husband "entrusting his heart" to his wife. All He gives over to us, even His very life, His absolute love – His blood itself He pours out for us. And are we as the good wife who "works with loving hands," who "puts her hands to the distaff and [whose] fingers ply the spindle"? Do we work diligently with all the gifts the Lord imparts to us and thus increase their yield? Are we as she who "brings [her husband] good, and not evil, all the days of her life," delivering unto the Lord the honor due His Name? If so, then as the worthy wife receives "a reward for her labors" and as "her works praise her at the city gates," so shall the Lord richly bless our labors, and the angels at the gates of heaven welcome us with song. Brothers and sisters, "You are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober," doing the Lord's will in all things. Let us not be as the "useless servant" who "dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money." The graces the Lord gives us are not meant for such darkness, but indeed to be brought into the light of day that they might spread "like a fruitful vine" throughout the face of the earth. This is the call of His Church, and we must be faithful in the work with which we have been entrusted: His love must reach to the ends of the world. And each "shall eat the fruit of [his] handiwork" when the day of the Lord comes upon us. The soul which has courted darkness in its distrust and laziness shall find the spouse that awaits her; but "blessed shall [she] be, and favored," "who walk[s] in [the Lord's] ways!" She shall indeed not fear the "sudden disaster" that comes upon the wicked, but shall celebrate "the prosperity of Jerusalem" in her Master's house "all the days of [her] life." For in none does the Lord take greater delight than she who returns an increase of His invaluable love. Wriiten, chanted, and produced by James Kurt; read by Sylvia Kurt. Music: "We Have Bodies" from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******** O LORD, let us do your work and your will; let us be fruitful in serving you until the Day of your Son's return. YHWH, you give us gifts, skills and talents upon this earth – even our bodies and minds are from you. But if we employ them not, it is as if we have them not at all… and soon they are taken from us. We must offer all we have back to you, serving you well with all our lives, and we shall be blessed with your abundance. Into your kingdom let us come, O LORD! Let all we do lead to this grace. Make us fruitful in your Name, ever working with loving hands, and every blessing will be ours – and we shall know the joy of your presence. Let our hearts be set on you alone. What have we, LORD, that you have not given? And what should we do but use well what is at our hands? If we wish to be wed to you in Heaven, then your heart we must hold within our own. It is your heart you would give us; let us live as your children in the light of this day. O LORD, may your Son not find us sleeping upon His return, but serving you faithfully, walking ever in your way.