Saturday, September 01, 2007

Talents

For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.

And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.

His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed. And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.

And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed: Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury. Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:14-30 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father it's not hard to imagine the parable that Jesus gave us and relate it to our own lives. I've prayed throughout my life and also did not do what you entrusted me to do either. This parable can speak volumes to us when we know we didn't live up to what was given. I know it has for me and I wonder at times, did I give my love to those who were without. Did I hold back my love from you also and hide it out of fear of you. The gifts that you gave me did I put them to use to help others? Or did I bury them too out of fear of the responsibility that comes with them. I am poor in so many ways, but in one way I have an abundance of love to share and give. And this I give without cost to myself. Because in this one area I have kept and stored the treasure and reinvested it over time where it became the wealth of my soul. Where God has poured His abundant love into it as well. This treasure I speak is the love for God first and foremost in my life where I have put Him always. I am rich beyond my wildest dreams with the love only God can give. May the world come to find this treasure and receive His blessings twofold and more. Amen

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