Reflection – 11/21/18
Sacred Scripture
While people were listening to Jesus speak, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'” After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.( Luke 19:11-28)
Reflection
This Gospel of the talents reminds us vividly about the gifts that God gives and what should be done with those gifts. To properly “frame” this reflection, we need to acknowledge basic beliefs about gifts from God.
First, God gives gifts to every person according to his or her several abilities (Matthew 25:15). Those gifts and graces should be developed so that they are productive for the common good. The gifts and graces entrusted to us are to be used –not for safekeeping or to be hidden away; not for our own gain, but for the Lords’ purposes here upon earth.
Finally, God rewards those who are faithful, responsible and productive stewards and he punishes those who are irresponsible, unwise and non-productive stewards. God is not going to judge us by the way we use what we do not possess, but by the use we make of the gifts that are our own.
I believe this is what the last judgment would be. Are we going to be like the first two servants who invested the master’s treasures or are we going to be like the last servant who did not invest? As members of Christ’s family, we are called to be investors of the treasures entrusted to us. When the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, they did not go back to the upper room; they used their gifts to minister to other people. We also are invited to be active in ministry. The most rewarding ministry we can do is the ministry of our lives – living radically our Christian vocation in the midst of the world.
Prayer of The Day
Lord, help me to be a better keeper of the gifts you have given to me. Mold my life so that your love is reflected in me and allow me to use my gifts to bring you glory.
Daily Note
God has called each of us to use our gifts to serve others. Using our gifts to do good for others will give us comfort and peace, even in times of discouragement in this life, because we know when doing that we we are being led into the kingdom of heaven.
