Don't bury your talents, multiply them

The focus for all our tomorrows is found in the Parable of the Talents. (Matthew 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21) While we may not know for certain whether we should identify with the person to whom the Master gave five talents, or two talents, or one talent, we probably can make a good guess. It really doesn't matter, because the master's expectations for each of his servants were the same: make the best use of whatever talents I have given you. Just don't bury them! By thinking and praying and asking for advice, you'll come up with some good ideas on how to invest them. Every day is a day to labor for the truth, to give loving service to the poor, and to praise the Lord - through the Mass and Divine Office, through private prayer and private reflection, or perhaps with a friend.

Today may be the only day left for us to reconcile with someone whom we have offended, or who has offended us, to atone for some wrong, to go visit an elderly cousin, to play with our grandchildren. How precious are the talents and the time given us to use them! If we consider this day as perhaps our last day, then our talents will be used, and the benefits for us and others multiplied beyond belief. And it's all because we have developed the habit of taking each day as precious. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. With joy in the opportunities of today, we need never fear the final Day of the Lord.

“A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30) I appreciate this for two reasons.  The first of which is that we as a society are altogether terrible at receiving compliments; hence this verse serves as a good reminder that it is permissible and joyous to be praised and complimented for our God-given gifts.  Secondly, it’s good advice for any young man when he is looking for a wife.  It’s easy to get caught up in a lady’s physical appearance and neglect the value of her more important qualities.  When I stop to think about it, it’s those deeper traits that truly drew me to my own wife, Marilyn.  I consider Marilyn and my daughters—and of course Lily—to be “talents” that my Master has entrusted me with.  I try to set the example for them of what a ‘man who fears (appreciates with awe) the Lord” is.  I hope and pray that I can ‘increase the value’ of these ‘talents’ by bringing them closer to God and the love of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that is in each of us through Baptism.

Sometimes it’s good to keep in mind these basics regarding our gifts from God.  Remembering the true reasons that we should be attracted to our significant others helps us bear in mind that God wants us to build our respective relationships around Him.  Secondly, this serves as a reminder to offer and willingly receive praises of our God-given gifts.

Rather than bury our talents in the ground, let’s consciously recognize the gifts God has given us and make a concerted effort to utilize them for His greater glory.  When we notice it in others, let us praise our brothers and sisters for serving God through their gifts. With this in mind, here are my

Prayer intentions for today

Immaculate Heart of Mary
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

Pray for Sam Woods, our local seminarian who will be ordained a priest on December 3.  May he prove to be a good shepherd in the image of Christ.

Pray for my wife and those of my brothers, ‘whose value is far beyond pearls.’ (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)  They have helped my brothers and I keep our focus where it needs to be—leading our families to Christ.

Pray for my mother, who has never buried her “talent” of great faith but rather planted seeds of that faith in her children that bear great fruit now and will continue to grow and bear fruit in the future.

Almighty Father, “It is good for me to be with You and to put my hope in You.”( Ps. 73, 28)