Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 7; 🕂 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Chariton; The Holy Martyr Ludmila and Viacheslav, Czech Prince; Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv who repose in the Nearer Caves of the Venerable Anthony; Blessed Hieromartyr Nykyta Budka, First Bishop of Canada.
Polyeleos Feast.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 6:17-23.
Read Matthew 25:14-30
Static refers to something fixed, stable, unchanging, while dynamic means something changing, with the possibility of growth. The choice of a static state is a choice to stay within the limits of current parameters. The choice of a dynamic state is a choice for change shaped by interactive experiences.
Jesus says the “kingdom of heaven” is dynamic, not static. The two “good and faithful” servants engaged in activity that increased what was given to “each according to his own ability” – nature perfected by grace. The “wicked and lazy servant” didn’t engage in growth activity, choosing instead to maintain what already was – frozen in time.
God is unchanging but His life is far from static. He is dynamically creative in the highest order of expression – love – and he calls us to participate in eternal life with Him now: “The kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:21)
Faithfulness, not stasis, is the correct characterization of God’s unchanging nature. The wickedness spoken of in the “wicked and lazy” servant is his lack of trust that his master would be faithful when he was called to the risks of change and growth. Because God is unchanging and faithful, we can risk going out on a limb with Him in the loving activity of growth and change that he entrusts to us. But if we do not take that risk, we miss out on participating in His eternal life. When God calls us to go on a dangerous journey, it is no longer safe to stay where we are.