Sunday Gospel Reflection by Bishop Parkes: When I was growing up, I would occasionally come into some money. Maybe it was a gift for my birthday or Christmas, or perhaps I had earned it by delivering newspapers or doing some chores or odd jobs. I was often reminded by my parents to save some by putting it in the bank to earn a little interest.
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Read the Gospel reflection by Bishop Parkes below or click here to listen to it.
Are you using your talents for God’s glory?
“Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.’” - Matthew 25:22-23
When I was growing up, I would occasionally come into some money. Maybe it was a gift for my birthday or Christmas, or perhaps I had earned it by delivering newspapers or doing some chores or odd jobs. I was often reminded by my parents to save some by putting it in the bank to earn a little interest. While they wanted me to enjoy it, they didn’t want me to waste it on frivolous things. They taught me the importance of preparing for the future and the value of money. As I grew, I learned that these lessons were also applicable to my faith.
We are nearing the end of another liturgical year. Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King, and then we begin a new church year with the celebration of Advent. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples yet another parable. There was a man who was going on a journey and gave his possessions to his three servants to oversee. He gave one servant five talents, or coins, another servant two talents, and the third servant, one talent. The two with the larger amounts quickly traded with others and doubled their money. But the servant who only had one talent decided to bury his so that he wouldn’t lose it. When the master returned, he questioned each servant. The first two servants reported that they made more money for the master, and the master rewarded them for their efforts. But the servant who only had one talent and did nothing to make it grow, had it taken away, and was summarily dismissed.
It is interesting that the money is called talents. We use the word talent today to describe we can do very well – better than others. Some people have more than others, but everyone has at least one talent. We acknowledge that our talents come from God. That’s why when someone has an exceptional talent like a sharp mind, artistic skills, or athletic ability, we call that a “God-given talent.” God calls us to use these talents to reach our full potential and for the good of society and others.
As Christians, we’re also called to use our talents to serve others and give glory to God. Do you do this, or do you use them merely for self-interest? Do you use your spare time to better the Kingdom by studying God’s Word and to help others…or do you waste time playing games on the computer? Do you use your efforts to care for the less fortunate, or do you spend night after night in front of the television? There’s nothing wrong with relaxation and enjoying some down time at the end of a busy day. But, remember that in the parable, the one who did nothing with the talent he was given was turned away turned away by the master.
Are you using your talents to their fullest potential? If not, make a fresh start and a new beginning. Each day strive to do your best to use your God-given talents in all that you do at work, home, school, church and in the community for the good of others and to give glory to God.
¿Estás usando tus talentos para la gloria de Dios?
“Se acercó luego el que había recibido dos talentos y le dijo: «Señor, dos talentos me dejaste; aquí tienes otros dos, que con ellos he ganado». Su señor le dijo: «Te felicito, siervo bueno y fiel. Puesto que has sido fiel en cosas de poco valor, te confiaré cosas de mucho valor. Entra a tomar parte en la alegría de tu señor»”. Mateo 25, 22-23
Durante mis años de crecimiento me llegaba ocasionalmente algún dinero; así fuese un regalo de cumpleaños o por Navidad, o lo había ganado repartiendo periódicos o haciendo algunas tareas o trabajitos. Mis padres me recordaban a menudo que ahorrara algo poniéndolo en el banco para ganar un poco de interés. Aunque deseaban que lo disfrutara, no querían que lo desperdiciara en cosas frívolas. Me enseñaron la importancia de prepararme para el futuro y el valor del dinero. A medida que crecía, aprendí que estas lecciones también eran aplicables a mi fe.
Nos acercamos al final de otro año litúrgico. El próximo domingo es la solemnidad de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo y de ahí comenzamos un nuevo año eclesiástico con la celebración del Adviento. En el Evangelio de hoy Jesús les cuenta a sus discípulos otra parábola. Había un hombre que iba de viaje y le dejó sus bienes encargados a tres de sus sirvientes para que los supervisaran. Le dio a un sirviente cinco talentos, a otro entregó dos talentos y al tercero un talento. Los dos con las cantidades más grandes rápidamente comerciaron con otros y doblaron su dinero. Pero el sirviente que sólo tenía un talento decidió enterrarlo para no perderlo. Cuando el amo regresó, interrogó a cada sirviente. Los dos primeros sirvientes informaron que ganaron más dinero para el amo y éste los recompensó por sus esfuerzos. Pero al sirviente que sólo tenía un talento y no hizo nada para hacerlo crecer, se lo quitaron y fue despedido inmediatamente.
Es interesante que llamen al dinero talentos. Hoy en día usamos la palabra talento para describir lo que podemos hacer muy bien, mejor que otros. Algunas personas tienen más que otras, pero todos tenemos al menos un talento. Reconocemos que nuestros talentos vienen de Dios. Por eso cuando alguien tiene un talento excepcional como una mente aguda, o aptitudes artísticas o habilidades atléticas, decimos que es un "don de Dios". Dios nos llama a usar estos talentos para alcanzar nuestro máximo potencial, y para el bien de la sociedad y de los demás.
Como cristianos también estamos llamados a usar nuestros talentos para servir a los demás y dar gloria a Dios. ¿Haces esto o usas tus talentos sólo para tu beneficio propio? ¿Utilizas tu tiempo libre para avanzar el Reino estudiando la Palabra de Dios y ayudando a los demás... o pierdes el tiempo jugando en la computadora? ¿Te esfuerzas por cuidar de los menos afortunados o pasas noche tras noche frente al televisor? No hay nada malo en relajarse y disfrutar de un tiempo libre al final de un día ajetreado. Pero recuerda que en la parábola el que no hizo nada con el talento que se le dio fue rechazado por su amo.
¿Estás usando tus talentos al máximo? Si no es así, haz un nuevo inicio y un nuevo comenzar. Esfuérzate cada día en el trabajo, el hogar, la escuela, la Iglesia y en la comunidad por usar lo mejor posible todos los talentos que Dios te ha dado para el bien de los demás y para dar gloria a Dios.
Reflection by:
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa’s banking industry.
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