Gospel: Matthew 25: 14 – 30
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”
Reflection:
Our Gifts and Talents
God has gifted us with gifts and talents such as material goods, natural abilities and astonishing talents. Like in the parable, the master entrusted his possessions to his three servants. Two of his servants make use of the talents that was entrusted to them wisely. They worked hard in order to produce more. Meanwhile, the last servant, did nothing with the talent that was entrusted to him.
Upon the return of the master, he asked for the accountability of the talents that he entrusted to his servants. He was pleased with his two servants. And he gave them great responsibilities and asked them to share in his joy. While the last servant was judged as wicked and lazy and everything that he had was taken away from him.
This parable teaches us to be good stewards here on earth and that we are all accountable for the gifts and talents that God has given us.
For further reflection, what are the gifts and talents that God has given me? How do I use them? How can I be a good steward?
