Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Ps. 33:12-13,18-21, Matthew 25:14-30
“Well done, good and trustworthy slave. You have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
We do not all have equal opportunities, but we all have equal abilities to maximise our opportunities. Some of us were born with ‘silver spoons,’ others with ‘clay pots.’ Some were born into homes of physical, psychological, and mental abuse, and some into havens of love, abundance, and peace. Ultimately, God expects us to shine with what we have been given.
- In today’s First Reading, St. Paul says, “Not many of you were wise, not many were powerful, and not many were of noble birth…” but God, the perfect equaliser, chooses what is foolish to shame the wise and what is weak to shame the strong so that at the end, no one can boast about anything.
- Is God unfair? Does He bless some people more than others? The parable of the talents Jesus gave in today’s Gospel passage addresses this concern. The master had three servants; to one, he gave five talents; to another, two talents; and to the third, he gave one talent. There is no way we can all be the same. We do not have the same talents and gifts, but God gives to each person according to their capacity.
- Rather than engage in useless competitions with one another or expend energy fighting for equality (a fight that will never end), rather than engage in the “pull-him-down” games we play often, there is much peace that comes with realising it is not what we have that counts but how we manage it.
- The one who got two talents did not ask for more simply because another got five. He traded with his and produced four, while the other produced ten. Your two talents can never produce ten. You are unique and different. Stop competing with others; compete with yourself by striving to be better than you were yesterday.
- I saw a video on social media recently. A man went into a bank to do some transactions. Thinking he had come to withdraw, a lady pushed him aside to stand in the queue. Without saying anything, he went to the deposit section. As he left the bank, the lady, still in the queue, came to meet him to apologise for what she had done earlier. How often do you push people aside, thinking they are obstacles to you, not knowing they are running a different race?
- The one with only one talent perfectly depicts what envy does to us. When we feel sad at what others have, we no longer appreciate what is ours and end up burying our God-given talents. Envious people never tire of complaining and speaking of others in a bad light. When asked why he buried the talent, the man complained about the master’s character. Do you believe everyone else (apart from you) is responsible for your failure? Avoid envy; you may not be as wealthy or talented as others, but your little can multiply if you trade with it.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant that we may make the best of our opportunities. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 21 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Ps. 33:12-13,18-21, Matthew 25:14-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu