GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 2ND SEPTEMBER 2017
SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 1Thessalonians 4:9-11
PSALM: Psalm 98:1, 7-9
GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30
THEME: TALENTS
Erma Bombeck is quoted as saying: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’”. This statement resonates very well with our Gospel text.
Addressing his disciples, Jesus narrated a parable of a man who distributed talents to three servants of his, according to each person’s ability, before embarking on a journey. Two of the servants made good use of their talents and they were rewarded. The third servant was unproductive and this spelt his doom. The Greek adjective, “achreios” ( translated as useless, worthless or unprofitable) is used to describe the man who did not make use of his talents and Jesus concluded the narration of the parable with the statement, “For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away” (Mt. 25:29).
No one is created useless by God but when we fail to make use of our talents, we make ourselves useless. There are many people out there lamenting that they are poor. Well, lamentation does not bring one out of poverty. When we fail to use our God-given talents we make ourselves poor.
A talent is a seed of greatness given by God and inherent in everyone. The difference between a fulfilled and an unfulfilled person is that the former activates talents and the latter leaves talents latent. A talented person does not stand in line; he stands out. Talents, when used to the full, make one unique.
We were created to be productive. We are destined to produce tangible and good fruits wherever God plants us. May we not allow fear or slothfulness to deny us of our worth in Christ.
Prayer: Eternal Father, I thank you for every talent that you have given to me through the power of your Spirit. I choose this day to step out in faith and exercise each one of them to the full. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).