Gospel Reflection Nov 15 – Kim VanHuffel
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 25:14-30
Gospel:
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.'”
Gospel Reflection:
Today Jesus tells us a parable about what is expected of us here on earth. The word “talent” in the parable was a form of currency, but it is eluding to the word we use today, meaning our natural abilities and God-given gifts. We are called to use those gifts boldly and to share them with the world, not hide them away, as the third man did. Out of fear, he goes and hides his talent.
God demands much of those with whom he shares his gifts. And, if we use our “talents” to further God’s kingdom on Earth, he will increase those talents further and help to make us more fruitful in our mission. That’s what the other two men did. They doubled what they started with, which pleased God, and they shared in the Master’s joy.
What are your gifts and talents that God has granted you? Do you share them with people, or bury them away, thinking they, or you, are not good enough? God is telling us today that we ARE good enough, and we need to share our talents, our gifts, our lives, our faith, our love, and all that we have — with others! This is the will of God. And, if we at least try, and put aside our fear, then we can all hope for the day when we will hear “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Kim VanHuffel
Pastoral Associate