Each week, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Jesus tells the parable of a man who is going on a journey. Before he leaves he entrusts his wealth to three servants in the form of talents. In the days of Jesus, a talent was an expensive weight made of gold, silver or copper to be used in commercial trading. The expectation was that it would be used to make an increase in wealth.
Each of the three servants had differing abilities, so to one servant the master gave five talents, the second one was given two talents, and the third one received one talent.
The talents can be translated into modern day terms. We can interpret the talents of the parable as God-given talents and abilities. We all have different talents, each according to our abiltiies. Some of us are quick witted, others athletic, some are musicians, others poets, etc. But, if we do not use our abilities, we eventually lose them, like the man who went and buried his one talent, only to have it take away from him in the end. Why didn’t he trade the talent as expected? Because he was afraid. Every investment involves a risk of failure. So, he didn’t even try.
Unlike the man with the one talent, the other two doubled their worth because they went and traded and invested what they had been given by their master. They took the risk and went out to use their talents. This was to the benefit the master upon his return. It also benefited the two resourceful men when the Master allowed them to share in his joy.
Gifts that God gives to us are always meant to be used. The more we use them, the more we increase them. So, for example, if love is shared it multiplies. The same with the gift of forgiveness. If we forgive someone it is reasonable to believe that the forgiven person has learned to forgive others. If we are carpenters and have the gift of working with wood, we can use it to help build homes for those without them. These are just a few examples of how God-given gifts, when used for good, help to build up the world and increase the gifts of God.
Some people who have reflected on this parable have likened each talent to the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. Each talent is the gift of faith. Faith is also meant to be shared. If we hide our faith, even what little we have will be taken away from us, Jesus implies in today’s parable.
If faith is a great treasure, and it is, then it must be used, it must be shared, it must be invested. Then faith increases, not only in our hearts, but in the world. Disciples don’t just sit at the feet of Jesus, they are also sent by Jesus with a saving message.
When the master returns he will not ask us whether we learned the faith, as important as that is. No, I believe that when he returns he will ask us whether we shared the faith. In other words, did we go forth to proclaim the message of the Good News, that Jesus has come to save us, and by believing in him, we will have eternal life? This is the spark that can set the world on fire. We have it — but we must use it. To bury it, or hide it, will cause it to be extinguished.
God bless you and those you love.
Have a blessed week everyone.