Daily Reflection – 11/22/23
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
Today’s scripture does more than speak about how we are living our lives. It provides a pointed reminder of how much God values us and what he hopes to achieve in our lives.
The nobleman in the parable is Jesus, who left this world but who will return as King one day. The servants the king charges with a task represent followers of Jesus. The King has given us gifts and we are to be faithful to serve Him until He returns. Upon His return, Jesus will ascertain the faithfulness of His own people in terms of what we have done with His commission,
The question we need to answer is how much we believe that we have been gifted by God. Do we truly see the correlation between a gift or talent we have and its source? It’s there. As obvious as it can be.
To see it, we need first to believe in our value to God. He created us. He loves us. He is at our side every day. He longs to have a personal relationship with us. Do you believe that? We all need to. Its why God sent His son, Jesus Christ to die for us. Every time we look at that cross, we need to remember that Jesus Christ died on it for you and me. That sure establishes our worth to Him.
Accepting that relationship to God moves us to the point of this scriptural passage. Each of us has been gifted by God. It’s not a question of quantity. To me, it’s a recognition that every child of God is expected to use those gifts to further His kingdom on this earth.
Each of us is truly a minister of His love and grace.
The way we live our lives is our daily “sermon” to those we encounter.
When we offer a word or act of forgiveness, we are offering forgiveness in His name to another.
When we persevere through trial or even persecution, we are mirroring the trials He overcame on this earth.
When we help another see brightness in their life, we are bringing a communion of His love to them.
When we use healing words to a troubled soul, we are using the power of His name to move a troubled soul back to Him.
Each of us is called to be a minister every day in His name. That gift cannot be overlooked. Whoever you are, whatever your circumstances, you are called to bring Christ to another.
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 are being led into the kingdom of heaven.
