Settling Accounts: Scott Hahn on the 33rd Sunday
The day of the Lord is coming, Paul warns in today’s Epistle. What matters isn’t the time or the season but what the Lord finds us doing with the new life, the graces He has given to us.
This is at the heart of Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel. Jesus is the Master. Having died, risen, and ascended into heaven, He appears to have gone away for a long time.
By our Baptism, He has entrusted to each of us a portion of His “possessions,” a share in His divine life (see 2 Peter 1:4). He has given us talents and responsibilities according to the measure of our faith (see Romans 12:3–8).
We are to be like the worthy wife in today’s First Reading and the faithful man we sing of in today’s Psalm. Like them, we should walk in the “fear of the Lord”—in reverence, awe, and thanksgiving for His marvelous gifts. This is the beginning of wisdom (see Acts 9:31; Proverbs 1:7).
This is not the “fear” of the useless servant in today’s parable. His is the fear of a slave cowering before a cruel master, the fear of one who refuses the relationship that God calls us to.
God has called us to be trusted servants, fellow workers (see 1 Corinthians 3:9), using our talents to serve one another and His kingdom as good stewards of His grace (see 1 Peter 4:10). In this, we each have a different part to play.
Though the good servants in today’s parable were given different numbers of talents, each “doubled” what he was given. And each earned the same reward for his faithfulness—greater responsibilities and a share of the Master’s joy.
So let us resolve again in this Eucharist to make much of what we’ve been given, to do all for the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31). That we, too, may approach our Master with confidence and love when He comes to settle accounts.
Welcome to Our Parish Family
Fr. Bob Tabbert!
It is with great joy that we welcome Fr. Bob to our St. Elizabeth Seton parish family!
Ordained in 1979 (the year I was born!), Fr. Bob has devoted an incredible 47 years of his life to serving God’s people as a priest. He has been a priest of the Diocese of Venice since its founding in 1984 and has served in numerous parishes and leadership roles throughout our Diocese.
Many longtime Collier County residents will remember Fr. Bob from his years of service at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, where he was instrumental in bringing the current parish church to completion. He also served as Pastor of St. Ann Parish from 1996 to 2007, where he led the efforts to build the Jubilee Center and a major addition to the school there.
Most recently, Fr. Bob served for nearly 17 years as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, retiring in March 2023. As it happens, St. John XXIII is my home parish. During my years of seminary formation and especially in my early years of priesthood, Fr. Bob was a tremendous source of encouragement, inspiration, and support for my own vocation. For that, I will always be grateful.
After enjoying a couple of well-deserved years of quiet retirement, during which he also devoted himself to caring for his aging sister, Fr. Bob has graciously agreed, with the support of Bishop Emilio, to return to active ministry in his retirement by assisting us here at St. Elizabeth Seton. I could not be happier to welcome him to our parish. Not only are we gaining the assistance of a priest with nearly half a century of pastoral experience, but we are also gaining a wonderful example of priestly dedication, generosity, and faithful service to the Church. Fr. Bob, welcome to the St. Elizabeth Seton family! We are truly blessed to have you among us!
-Fr. Casey
