First Reading - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Gospel - Matthew 25:14-30
In the first reading, St. Paul reminds the Christians in Thessalonika about the patrimony which they have received as Christians in the form of teaching of love; particularly, the love of neighbour. He admonishes them that this patrimony or gift must be preserved intact by practicing it among their fellow brothers and sisters. He seems to say that let this teaching become part and parcel of their lives. Thereafter, he also exhorts them to carry on their work diligently. This he mentions so that the enemy of laziness or sloth would disappear from their lives and God's gifts may be realized in them to the fullest.
The gospel of the day has a beautiful parable of 'Talents'. A talent was 600 days wages. It means the man who goes abroad invests a huge sum on his servants. To one he gives five talents which is equal to 3000 days wages and to the others two and one respectively. The sum mentioned is whopping. However, this also reflects the huge investment God has made on us or God's great expectations from us. The result of the investment is ambivalent. The first two make the best use of the amount and make double of them, consequently they win the favour of the master. But the last one makes no progress due to his prejudices, miscalculation and laziness, hence he is punished.
Dear friends, God is merciful and gracious and the result is, we are gifted with so many things; with spiritual giftedness, abilities and talents. These gifts are huge investment of God on us. God expects that we should make the best of everything we are given. Everyone is unique and different, and everyone is gifted differently. There is no need to compare our gifts with others and feel envious or jealous. As the readings specifically underlines that we are to give account of our gifts, that we have received and not of others. It's not about comparison but progression.
We have spiritual gifts which are meant to assist others in the spiritual path, so also we have our abilities and talents they are meant for the good of others and oneself. What way do we make use of them? God has taught us, as St. Paul mentions in the first reading, to invest our gifts in the loving service of one another. This displays our love for our neighbours. On the other side, St. Paul also suggests that we are to carry on working, which means, let our talents or gifts be not lost like the third servant who buried the talent he got, but we should re-invest the investment of God like other two servants, so that we can do good to ourselves and others as well. Hence, God may say to us at the end, "You have been faithful in small things: come and join in your master's happiness."
May God help us use our gifts faithfully and fruitfully.
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