Today’s parable tells us something about how God deals with us, his disciples and servants. The parable speaks first of the master’s trust in his servants. While he goes away, he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money. The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants’ conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master’s money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master’s money was irresponsible. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money. The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them in a fitting way.

Jesus trusted and gave each according to his ability or talents. The only thing is – how do we use them? In the parable we see two groups of people – one group is making use of the talents and the other group is not making use of the talents that they received. Where do we stand? We all have talents which vary, everybody doesn’t have the same talents. The question is whether we are ready to share them with others or to hide them under the ground, meaning not ready to share with others. We are all unique and all are different in personality, so therefore, everybody has different talents, too. Do not compare with one person or another at any time. All are individual, unique persons. Humanity is common to all; everything else is different in each person.

Are we satisfied with the talents we have, or do we always complain about our talents? Keep in mind that we can never be another person, because we are what we are. Try to find satisfaction in what we have and what God has given to us. Make use of the talents for others and not for us alone. Try to satisfy God, not man. You cannot satisfy man in this world – because we are all different. God always sees the goodness in our hearts. Man sees only the outside. Many times, we commit a sin or a big mistake without realizing it – then we ask ourselves what would others think of us? Because of that we can do nothing properly, nothing can be accomplished. Let us ask ourselves, what would my Jesus think about me? You will be happy and accomplish many things in this world, and the Master will tell you: “Well done, my good and faithful servant ….. Come; share your master’s joy.”

Love and Prayers,

Fr. Charley