Joseph S. Mostardi, O.S.A.
Church of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Readings
Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
1 Thes 5:1-6
Mt 25:14-30
As the liturgical year draws to a close, St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that we are children of light, not darkness. Christ dwells within us, guiding us through good times and bad. We are called to use our time wisely as we await the day of the Lord – a message that prepares us for the Gospel parable of the talents.
Whenever this parable appears in the Sunday readings, I think of a quote from the first Spider-Man movie: “With great power comes great responsibility.” These words speak not only to Peter Parker, known as Spider-Man, but also to each of us and the gifts God has given us. Whether we receive five talents, three, or one, we are responsible for using our gifts as faithful disciples. We may not consider our talents powerful, but we all have a responsibility to use the gifts that God has given us.
In the parable, a talent is a unit of money; in our lives, talents are the unique gifts we are called to share. During our education, we often compare ourselves with our peers and wish we had their abilities. Such comparisons can keep us from appreciating our own gifts or developing them into something great.
Christ called his disciples, men and women, not because they were alike, but because each would bring unique gifts to the world, laying the foundation for the Church to come. When they left their familiar work to follow him, they may not yet have understood their calling, which he began to reveal itself through Christ’s teaching. They gradually began to realize what they had hidden within themselves, a calling that they would never have expected. We should all reflect on our talents and gifts, naming them not with pride but with humility: they come from God, and we are called to use them.
Our first reading describes the talents of a good wife. Looking also to parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends, we recognize those whose gifts complement our own. A good wife or husband is an essential gift within a family. Those called to marriage often see their talents reflected in their children as they mature, while also discovering new gifts that make each child unique. Celebrating those gifts will help anyone to grow in self-esteem rather than bury them for fear of failure.
The parable ends with a rebuke of the person entrusted with one talent. Instead of using his gift, he hides it, fearing he might lose it before having to account for its use. How often do we hide our gifts because we doubt our ability to use them wisely? How often do others belittle someone’s talents rather than encourage their development?
Times have changed since many of us grew up sharing our talents through the Church. Now we must encourage those who leave their gifts unused to uncover them and serve people in need, helping improve our world and our Church.
This parable calls us to value our unique gifts rather than dismiss them as worthless. Pope Leo’s encyclical, Magnificent Humanity, reminds us of what we have and what God has given us. One of our greatest gifts is the ability to respect one another, for we are all created in God’s image and likeness. Before burying a gift you consider useless, look closely at yourself: recognize God within you and the talents he has given you to share with others.
