Today’s Reflection
Gospel:  Mt 25: 14-30
November 19, 2023 | Sunday

Today’s Gospel

Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one servant, two talents to another servant, and one talent to a third, to each, according to his ability; and he went away. He who received five talents went at once to do business with the talents and gained another five. The one who received two talents did the same and gained another two. But the one who received one talent dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who had received five talents came with another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see, I have gained five more.’ The master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; with them, I have gained two more.’ The master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.’ Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I know that you are a hard man. You reap what you have not sown, and gather what you have not scattered. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours!’ But his master replied, ‘Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered. You should have deposited my money in the bank, and give it back to me with interest on my return. Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Today’s Reflection:

All of us are endowed with certain gifts, abilities, talents, and the like. Normally, with the help of the people, we are able to recognize, nourish and develop them. Once they are fully developed, the gifts freely given to us should be shared with others in order to build up a community, to nurture it for those who are seriously following him. We are expected to use our gifts not so much for our own personal good, but for the good of others. Saint Paul clearly develops this idea in one of his letters (cf. 1Cor 14:4-5. 12. 18-19. 26-32). What we have are not to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with those who have none. Ultimately, commitment to Jesus means making oneself always available without counting the cost../ Vulnerasti, 2023