Parable of the talents - Faithful in small things

Parable of the talents - Faithful in small things

14 "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents.
17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.
18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.'
21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.'
23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26 But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
29 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.
30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
(NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of trust. I trust you and I give you many different gifts so that you may use them constructively for your own good and the good of others. What I really expect from you is to be glorified as your God and creator.

Any man will invest his money or his efforts into something because he expects good returns. There is great disappointment when his efforts don’t obtain the benefit that they are supposed to give.

In the parable of the talents the hard worker is repaid for his work, but the lazy one is punished for his carelessness. And so it will be in my kingdom, since I have lavished my gifts upon everyone and the time will come when you will have to render account of your works.

The talents that I am speaking about are the qualities and virtues that all of you are given and must cultivate to produce good fruit. Like a garden that is taken care of regularly and produces beautiful flowers or a tree that is planted in fertile soil, your fruits must be in accordance to your gifts.

Remember about the fig tree that was cursed for not producing fruit. In the same way those who squander the good qualities that they possess will have to render account for all the good they could have done but neglected to do.

Sloth is a capital sin; it is a waste of the talents that I have given you. To kill time by doing nothing is an offence since life has been given for a purpose. You have been created to know me, love me and serve me.

Regarding the use of talents, the first great sin of men is to avoid knowledge of God, they hide the gift that leads them to acknowledge the creator and turn away from Him instead.

The second sin is not to love God, whose gift to everyone is his love. This happens when men live in their sins and don’t repent. They don’t love me when they don’t love their fellowmen. The gift of my love is despised.

The third sin is not to serve me, thus forgetting that I serve you daily by giving you life. You serve me when you use your talents constructively, when you live your life not only for you but for me too. Remember that you serve me every time you help your fellow man.

Meditate on all the gifts that I have given you, start by thinking of your body, your breath, your blood and your heartbeats. Think of your supernatural gifts, your eternal soul, your spirit and the immortality that comes with your promised salvation. Then think of the good things that you enjoy, your family, your possessions, your pleasures and everything that I offer you.

Every moment of your existence I am proclaiming my love for you. Will you do something in return?

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary