Giving What We Are Given
One way to express our love or interest for someone is to give them a gift, something that they can use and enjoy. God has given us many gifts and talents as a sign of his love for us. When someone gives us a present, they like to see us using it and getting pleasure from it.
The Parable of Talents
In the Gospel for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus uses The Parable of the Talents to explain that we are expected to put these gifts to good use in our lives and not waste them. In the Bible, the word talent doesn’t mean something that a person can do well, like playing a piano or making people laugh. In Jesus’ time a “talent” was a unit of money of high but variable value, depending on its metal content.
Risk Management
When it comes to managing money, some of us are natural risk-takers and others are not easily willing to take big chances. In Matthew’s Gospel, two of the three servants took some risks and were able to double their talents which made the master very happy. He rewarded them by giving them great responsibilities. The third servant chose to sit on his one talent and he did nothing. Of course there is nothing wrong with playing it safe, but when it comes to a gift, especially a gift from God then it is our responsibility – our duty – to use it toward the kingdom of God. When we grow in the kingdom of God, everyone profits. When we do nothing, not only are we not contributing but we run into the danger of being an obstacle.
Homework
The Liturgical Year A comes to an end on November 26th as we celebrate Christ the King. The beginning of Advent is just around the corner and this parable is a good text to reflect on as we prepare and wait for the coming of Jesus. Let’s reflect on the choices we make about how we treat others, how we care for God’s creation and how we take care of ourselves. Let us take our God-given talents and invest them here on earth for the growth of his Kingdom,. We will be rewarded heavenly.