He gave… To each according to his ability
Published Aug 27, 2022 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Gospel • Matthew 25:14-30
The eschatological discourse of Jesus is again illustrated by the parable of the talents. A talent (Greek talenton) was an ancient unit for measuring the value of precious metals, usually gold and silver. In the New Testament, a talent was a value of money or coin. If a gold talent was weighing roughly the same as a person, then what is entrusted by the master to his servants is a very huge amount indeed!
Today we understand talent to mean a special ability to do something well, especially without being taught. Every human being has received a certain amount of gift and “talent” (wealth or capacity) from the Lord, and as the Gospel parable teaches, everyone is accountable for the gift received. As stewards of this earth, men and women participate in the creative powers of God. And they have the duty to take care of the world, our common home. The whole world is for everyone; and the fruits of the earth should be sufficient for all. No one should be acquiring more than necessary at the detriment of another. Even the land on which we stand will outlive us; therefore, proportionate distribution is a social concern for all. An oft-repeated quote by St. John Paul II says, “Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.” Values are not only measured by wealth, but of more worth is human dignity.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Gospel • Matthew 25:14-30
The eschatological discourse of Jesus is again illustrated by the parable of the talents. A talent (Greek talenton) was an ancient unit for measuring the value of precious metals, usually gold and silver. In the New Testament, a talent was a value of money or coin. If a gold talent was weighing roughly the same as a person, then what is entrusted by the master to his servants is a very huge amount indeed!
Today we understand talent to mean a special ability to do something well, especially without being taught. Every human being has received a certain amount of gift and “talent” (wealth or capacity) from the Lord, and as the Gospel parable teaches, everyone is accountable for the gift received. As stewards of this earth, men and women participate in the creative powers of God. And they have the duty to take care of the world, our common home. The whole world is for everyone; and the fruits of the earth should be sufficient for all. No one should be acquiring more than necessary at the detriment of another. Even the land on which we stand will outlive us; therefore, proportionate distribution is a social concern for all. An oft-repeated quote by St. John Paul II says, “Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.” Values are not only measured by wealth, but of more worth is human dignity.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.