Reflections
November 13, 2011
MANILA, Philippines
Matthew 25:14-30 (or 25:14-15, 19-21)
Jesus told His disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven
will be as when a man who was 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 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.’”
Reflection:
Come, share your master’s joy. A man I know stutters when he speaks.
He has a very low self-esteem. He cannot get a good job and is ashamed
of his defect. Is this the one talent he has received from the Lord? He
does want to bury this talent of his. But, wait, he does not know that
he gets along with his friends in spite of his defect. He has a bunch of
friends faithful to him. He has a loving family who takes care of his
needs. With all the love and help he receives from others, he need not
bury himself.
I met a very old man who went around in his bike, earning his keep by
sharpening knives and scissors. It was his livelihood. Written boldly
on the box of tools at the back of his bike were the words: I STILL CAN!
I often meet this whole family on a cart, picking up the garbage they
can sell and recycle. I see their happy faces when I stop to offer
whatever I have packed for the kids.
These people have received just “one talent,” yet they share the Master’s joy!
Learn, appreciate, and put to good use what you are good at and enjoy!
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