Gospel: 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.’

Reflection:

Our Gospel for today talks about the parable of the talents. This parable is a very deep interpretation of the next coming of Jesus as He ascended into heaven.

The parable of the talents speaks about making use of our God-given talents and skills in the service of God. We have to do this for the sake of the Kingdom of God by means of doing good deeds here on earth below. The gifts that we are holding means the personal abilities we have that we can use to serve God by helping others, doing charities, and living a holy life. We also include in here our wealth and possession that we are willing to offer to others when they need it.

The nobleman or master represents Christ Jesus. The journey then represents His ascension into heaven and His return is the time when He will come again. Christ, Himself gave us the talents, abilities, and skills when we are born because He wanted us to cultivate our talents and multiply it like what the two servants did in the parable. If we use our talents properly then surely our master in heaven will reward us with eternal life with Him in the next life to come. The other servant who was lazy in cultivating His talents represents those people who are afraid and stingy and will always put themselves first before others because for sure they are selfish. This kind of servant will be kicked out from His master’s side and the talent that was given to him will be taken away for he did not make use of this ability to propagate here on earth. God, when he entrusted us his gifts expected us to do good until He comes back.

So then, let us follow the good servants and let us wait for Christ to come back while making use of our abilities in the service of mankind. It doesn’t matter how small or big your help is as long as your intention is pure and your heart is always open for the needy. We can make use of our abilities now especially that our country is facing much turmoil such as the pandemic and the unlimited typhoons that hit us big and made our brothers and sisters suffer. Let us lend a helping hand in saving the lives of our fellowmen. Let us offer this to our savior Jesus Christ who will come really soon. – Clea | Helpline PH