Gospel Reflection Nov 15 – Deacon Don
Sunday, November 15
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:
In November each year, the Gospels focus on the end times and provide some pointed advice of do’s and don’ts for us to ponder. Last week, we heard a parable regarding preparedness. This week, we hear a Gospel that distributes talents differently. It may be more than coincidence that in ancient times a talent was a large sum of money. Today, we can easily replace that reference of money into skills.
Some of us may be given more talents than others. Talents, regardless of the size or number, are all gifts from God. We should use them in accordance to what was given us for the benefit of others. Our talents and the benefit they serve should never be considered complete. We are to constantly use it or lose it and those talents should be given away with no requirement for repayment.
No one is given nothing. Our talents, regardless of how small or unimportant they may seem to us, are held in high esteem in God’s eyes. We might be surprised that they will be held in high esteem by those we serve as well. That is why the conclusion of this Gospel is so stark and so specific. Our hope is in reflecting on the talents we have been given and within the limits of those talents, we put them to use. All of this remains in our power to choose.
-Deacon Don Poirier