Scripture for Mass
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Psalm: 128(127):1-2. 3. 4-5. Response: 1a
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30
Each of us is blessed with a unique set of personal talents. Among those talents are a few which we have in abundance, many which we rate as ‘average’, and several which we judge to be poor or inferior. Generally, we strive to develop those talents that will bring us success, personal satisfaction and public admiration, while avoiding or ignoring those talents which might reveal to ourselves and to others our limitations and inadequacies.
Against this background, it seems more helpful to consider today’s gospel parable as a reflection on the three dimensions of every person rather than as a story about three different kinds of people. In other words, each one of us has some talents which we eagerly develop in order to succeed in the world; other talents which we foster in order to get on in life; and still other talents which we buried a long time ago.
There is the saying, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it’. In other words, by simply not using our particular talent or skill or limb, we allow it to wither and die. However, through regular use and frequent practise, we develop our competency and capacity, often in surprising ways, which over time leads us to new horizons.
Today’s gospel parable then is an invitation to resurrect our buried talents and put them to work in the service of God’s reign in our world. It is a reminder that God’s way of seeing and judging is very different from our way of seeing and judge ourselves and others. Unlike the ways of the world, God manifests his divine power in our human fragility, but only if we can be vulnerable enough to share our single talents with the world.
Gracious and generous God, we thank you for lavishing each one of us with an abundance of personal talents.
Grant us the wisdom to recognise those blessings in our own life and in the lives of others, and the grace to rejoice in your goodness and kindness.
Teach us how to nurture and develop our own talents in the service of your reign on earth.
May we learn to encourage and foster the talents of those around us so that they too can give you honour and glory.
Help us to nurture gratitude and fidelity to you rather than pursue greatness and success in the world.
We ask all this through Jesus our brother and friend.
Amen.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
