Make use of your Talents

Make use of your Talents

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

2 Macc. 7:1-20-31, Lk. 19:11-28. In pre-Christian Jewish literature, today's first reading has the clearest statement on the belief in life after death. It reflects on the courage of a dissident Jewish group in resisting the pagan lifestyle being imposed on them by their Syrians oppressors. The Maccabean mother in the reading, trusted that God cared for her and her children and would bring them eternal life. In radical trust that God would not abandon them, she declares her faith in God, the creator of the universe and in an ultimate justice beyond this life. The same kind of faith and courage brought Jesus in His journey to Jerusalem for our salvation, despite His fore knowledge of His impending suffering and death. Today's Gospel parable of the silver talents, where three servants were given different amounts of silver by their master who was about to go on a journey. On that occasion, two of the servants made good use of the silver and invested them. As a result, they gained double the original amount they received from their master by the time he returned and asked them about the silver entrusted to them. Yet one of the servants hid the silver out of fear of his master and refused to do anything with it, as a result, he did not gain anything from the silver that he should have made use of or invested in. The servant who nervously hid his investment underground had the wrong approach to life. In using our talents we sometimes make mistakes, but Jesus sees our efforts that fail as preferable to fearful inactivity. Jesus taught that, whoever uses their gifts for the service of others will be given more; but those who share nothing with others will lose the little they have. May the Lord who empower mankind to glorify this world with art, help us to use our talent well for the greater glory of God! Amen!! Good morning and have a great day!!!

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