He who received five talents went at once to do business with the talents, and gained another
five. The one who received two talents did the same, and gained another two. But the one who
received one talent dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one
who had received five talents came with another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted me
with five talents,but see, I have gained five more.’ The master answered, ‘Well done, good
and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you in charge of
many things. Come and share the joy of your master.’
Then the one who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with two
talents; with them I have gained two more.’ The master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,
since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and
share the joy of your master.’
Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I know that you are a hard
man. You reap what you have not sown, and gather what you have not scattered. I was afraid,
so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours!’ But his master replied, ‘Wicked and
worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not
scattered. You should have deposited my money in the bank, and given it back to me with interest
on my return.
Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have,
more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even
what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into outer
darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Reflection:
What Paul speaks about the Corinthians is true of many of us. If we honestly examine
ourselves,did we ever merit to be who we are and where we have reached now? If God has
bestowed you with a special vocation or position, it is not out of your merit, but purely out of
His Grace, for His purposes. As Paul says and Mother Mary did in the Magnificat, if at all we
boast, we can only boast of the marvels God has worked in our lives. Once we are aware of
such marvels, the spontaneous response can only be one of gratitude. One who is so filled
with such gratitude for God’s blessings, can never imagine wasting whatever talents and
resources God has given, and will work day and night to put those talents to good use and
return the favor, however immeasurably inadequate that is, to God when He comes calling.
This is the inner dynamics of every saint and holy soul.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022
