It is22nd November 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St Cecilia, a Virgin and a Martyr. She is the patron saint of musicians. The readings are from 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; and the Gospel from Luke 19:11-28. Expressing our faith firmly without fear at all times especially in the most challenging times of our lives is the quality of a martyr. In the first reading, a mother of seven sons encouraged her sons to stand for the faith in Lord not to bow for the allegiance to a king who wanted to replace God. It is the invitation of a courageous mother to her sons to experience martyrdom for the faith they professed. We understand and begin to come closer to God than ever before during the suffering. It is the baptism of blood in which they all participated. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.” (Ps.16:15). The Gospel reminds us through the parable of king entrusting the possession and asking for an account that we will be rewarded for having put in use all that we received from the Lord for the betterment of others. More we spend, more earn. More we spend it for the others, more we gain it. We cannot cheat God and blame God for our own personal mistakes. When we lose, we gain. The more is entrusted to those who are faithful to spend for the common good not for one’s personal growth and development only. Our faith in God must propel to share all that we have been entrusted. God will ask for the account for all that God has entrusted to us. May the Lord bless each one of us to be honest with all that we have received from the Lord. May you have a good day. God bless you.