Matthew 25:14-30

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9

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, you are the giver of all talents and gifts. All that I have, I have received from you. When I want to be prideful about my intelligence, early upbringing, or personality strengths, teach me to see them as gifts and not achievements, so that I may glorify you with them and place them at the service of your Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Distribution of Talents: Today, we conclude our weekday journey through the Gospel of Matthew. On Monday, we will begin reading from the Gospel according to Luke. One of the characteristics of the tax collector’s Gospel is his concentration on Jesus’ economic language. There are frequent references to money, treasure, talents, credits, debts, administration, buying, and selling. 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. Faithful Servants and Lazy Servants: The Parable of the Talents invites each one of us to reflect on how we are approaching our mission in the Church and the world. We all have unique vocations adapted to our unique personalities. At the same time, we are all called to the same mission, to invest our talents in the service of God’s Kingdom. 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. How am I a good servant? How am I a faithful servant? How have I invested my God-given talents?

3. Love One Another: In Chapter Four of First Thessalonians, Paul makes an appeal to love. As a Pharisee, he concentrated on meticulously fulfilling the Law of Moses. As a Christian, Paul focused on faith in Christ and how this faith empowers him and flourishes in love. “Fraternal love for brothers and sisters in the faith is the mark of a true disciple of Christ (John 13:35). The Thessalonians are learning this lesson well as their charity is spreading throughout the province of Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 4:10)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 2116). The second commandment is hard to fulfill from a merely human standpoint. Who can truly love another person, a neighbor, as themselves? But, with the grace of Christ and the love of the Spirit, all things are possible. How can I love my neighbor today?

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?