A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 25:14-30)
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.”
Today’s Gospel contains the well-known parable of the talents, which Jesus shares with his disciples to teach them about the importance of using their God-given gifts and resources wisely and faithfully. The first and second servants do well in using God’s gifts; the third, does not do well. While the first two servants were faithful stewards, the third acted out of fear and hid his talents. It’s hard not to look with pity on the third servant. His fear paralyzed him. Yet, it was not success or profit the master sought in entrusting his possessions to the servants but an open and faithful trust in him, a share in his joy.
God, help me choose to receive and use your gifts not out of servile fear but out of love in response to love. You are the giver of all good things, and I strive to use your gifts faithfully but tend toward disuse or misuse of them. Because your love and generosity extend boundlessly beyond my imagination, teach me to be faithful to you, living in your love and unafraid of the outcome. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says of those animated by God’s gift of spiritual freedom in charity “[they] no longer stand before God as a slave, in servile fear, or as a mercenary looking for wages, but as a son responding to the love of him who “first loved us.”
From the Gospel acclamation: “I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” Lord, I want to be your good and faithful servant. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, bring me into the presence of Jesus your Son.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.