Matthew 25:14-30

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

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.’”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, teach me to be a wise investor. At the end of my life, I want to offer you the fruit of my labor. Without you, I can do nothing. But with you and the power of your grace, I can do all things and great works of charity and mercy.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Gifts and Talents: Jesus’ Parable of the Talents in Matthew draws our attention to the many gifts that God has graciously given us: the gift of life, the gift of our family, the gift of our natural talents and abilities, the gift of our call to eternal life, the gift of redemption, the gift of faith, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some of us have received five talents, others three talents, and others one talent. The parable teaches us that what is important is not so much the quantity or quality of the gifts we have received but rather how we use them during our lives here on earth. It teaches that we need to place our gifts at the service of the Kingdom of God. Do I have a good understanding of my unique gifts and talents? Do I know how I can serve?

2. The Three Parables: In the fifth discourse of Jesus in Matthew, there are three parables about our lives and the time that extends to Jesus’ return in glory: the parable of the faithful and prudent servant, the parable of the wise virgins, and the parable of the Talents. The first speaks especially to those given authority over God’s household. One of their primary duties is to distribute food to the household. They care for the material needs and spiritual needs of God's Church. Jesus reminds us that: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The master of the household, Jesus Christ, expects his servants to be faithful to their duties. The second parable is addressed to all Christians who await the return of the heavenly bridegroom. We wait patiently and in hope. The Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, asks that we live as he did, guided in everything by the power of the Holy Spirit. The last parable speaks as well to all Christians and invites each one of us to reflect on our mission in the Church and in the world. The Kingdom that Jesus inaugurated grows like a seed and transforms society like yeast transforms bread dough. We share in Christ’s work and await the definitive establishment of the Kingdom at the end of time when our Master and Bridegroom returns from his journey. The Master, Jesus Christ, will reward his good and faithful servants.

3. Humble Servants: When we reflect on ourselves and our lives, this should not lead us to vanity, pride, and mistaken self-importance. But rather, as Paul says in the First Letter to the Corinthians, “we should boast in the Lord.” Everything we have comes from God. Just as God chose Israel because they were the smallest people (Deuteronomy 7:7), chose Moses, because he was the humblest man alive, and chose Mary, because she considered herself the handmaid of the Lord, God continues to choose the foolish, the weak, and the lowly in the eyes of the world. In truth, those who are humble are not foolish but wise, because they see things the way God sees them. The humble are not weak but are strong because they rely on the power of God. The humble seem lowly in the eyes of the world but in truth are exalted because they have been raised with Jesus Christ. Through his Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus has become for us, wisdom from God. He has become our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. Justification, righteousness, holiness, and redemption are all gifts we have received from God, through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. We thank God today for his gifts and we ask that we may serve him faithfully, for those who serve God in this life will reign with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of heaven. At the end of our lives, we desire to hear the words of God: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.”

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are meek and humble of heart. You have bestowed gifts and talents upon me and will guide me to place them at the service of your Kingdom. I pray that they may bear abundant fruit. I hope that I will hear you speak these words to me at the end of my life: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.”

Living the Word of God: How well do I know the talents God has entrusted to me? Can I list them? How have I invested them? Have I buried any of them?