Gospels explained by Jesus - Gospel messages, gospels explanation |
Matthew 25:14-30
Year A -
33rd Sunday in ordinary time
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;
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?
Received by: Joseph
of Jesus and Mary
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