The Greatest Talent (Gift) Ever
33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
‘Talents’ are gifts.
Talents, during the time of Jesus, were extremely valuable coins. This is the ‘focal point’ in our Gospel reading ‘the Parable of the Talents’ on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The parable tells of the master leaving abroad. He entrusted his property to his servants: to the first, he gave five talents; to the second, two talents; and to the third, one. During the master’s absence, the first and second servants traded and multiplied the talents. The third, however, for fear of losing it all, buried the talent he received in a hole. When the master returned, the first two received praises and rewards, while the third, who returned only the coin he had received, was reproached and punished.
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| Talents and accountability. |
Commonly, the term ‘talent’ also refers to ‘gift’. For example, talent in music, talent in public speaking or teaching, talent in art, talent in baking or cooking… Yes, every one of us receives our personal talents and gifts from God, not for self-glorification or self-gratification, but we are expected to share our personal talents and gifts with the world, to make the world a better place, and to allow our personal talents and gifts grow and bear fruits that last. However, we must not be contented and stop there.
The greatest ‘talent’ (gift).
According to Pope Francis, during his Angelus message at Saint Peter's Square on 16 Nov 2014, the talent also refers to the most precious gift (inheritance) that our Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to us! So, what is this most precious gift?
This most precious gift is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself! Yes, our Lord has entrusted Himself to us, wholly, totally and without reservation!
| The greatest talent: Jesus Christ. |
Jesus presents Himself to us and is present to us in His Word, in the Eucharist and in the apostolic Church. Exactly because He gives Himself to us: we also receive His Holy Spirit, we receive His faith in the Heavenly Father, we receive His love, His tenderness, His mercy and His forgiveness… and many more... Through Him, with Him and in Him, we receive abundance of heavenly gifts and blessings.
This is the most precious gift, far more precious than any of our personal talents and gifts. Jesus entrusts Himself to us, not only to be safeguarded, but also to be multiplied and made fruitful!
1) How have I allowed my life to be transfigured by the Word of Jesus for His greater glory and for the salvation of the world?
2) How have I allowed myself to be transformed by the Body and Blood of Christ… into His Body broken for the world… and into His Blood poured out for others?
3) How have I cooperated with the Holy Spirit in bringing light and life to those around me?
4) How has my faith in Jesus Christ strengthened and given hope to others?
5) How have I imparted Christ’s love and impacted lives?
According to Pope Francis, any environment, even the furthest, most impractical, or even most secular or most hostile, can become a place where this most previous gift of Jesus Christ Himself can bear fruits. ‘There are no situations or places precluded from the Christian presence and witness.’ [Pope Francis | Angelus | 16 Nov 2014] We must therefore, at all times, at all places and on all occasions, show Jesus, share Jesus and stand for Jesus. If the world does not come to Jesus Christ, then we must bring Jesus Christ to the world!
Mary our Mother received and welcomed the most sublime gift, Jesus Himself, and in turn she offered Him to mankind with a generous heart. [Pope Francis | Angelus | 16 Nov 2014]
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| Mary: Woman of contemplation and woman of action. |
‘She arose and went with haste…’ [Lk 1:39 | 37th World Youth Day 2022-2023] Let us imitate the haste of Mary: let us show Jesus to the world and share Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Let our fervent prayer be:
“Lord Jesus Christ, may it no longer be I who live, but You who live in me .”
Let us also pray that God’s justice, peace, truth and love may prevail in Malaysia, Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Nicaragua.
[Note: This Gospel reflection was adapted from Porta Fidei, Gospel Reflection, 15 Nov 2020.]
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