Saturday
of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 25:14-30
Today’s Gospel is the parable of the talents. In this story,
the master of the house is going on a fairly long journey and he wants to
safeguard his money while he is away. He gave one servant five talents, the second
servant two talents and the third, one talent. The master, however, had an
unspoken expectation. The master expected these servants to increase the amount
of his money while he was gone.
The first servant and the second servant did what the master
expected. They took the money and invested it. These investments increased the
master’s money significantly. The increase varied, but the master was extremely
pleased with these servants. They had been excellent stewards of his resources.
The third servant, however, was a fearful person. He knew
his master could be harsh at times. This servant decided that he simply would
keep the master’s money safe. He buried the money in the ground and then waited
for the master to return.
When the master finally did return, naturally he asked the
servants for an accounting. Each servant came and reported what they had done
with his money. The master was very pleased with the first two servants. Their
investments had made him more money. However, the master was not pleased with
the third servant. Yes, the man kept his money safe, but the master had
expected him to use it well and increase the amount of money, at least to some
degree. Burying the money in the ground kept it safe, but the master expected
more, much more!
How do we steward the resources that God has
given us? Do we use them well and invest them wisely? Do we share them with
others? Or do we hide them or dismiss them as insignificant? All our resources
are given to us to share with others and the world. Do we believe that the resources
or gifts we have are good enough? I pray
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