Word Alive

When I studied at the SVD theological seminary in Tagaytay, we had an exceptionally bright seminarian. In class when the professor was lecturing, he would make sketches on his notebook, seemingly unmindful of what the mentor was saying.

When examinations came, he would get a perfect or near perfect score! Not surprisingly, he graduated with highest honors.

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We do have other people with extraordinary talents and gifts like our own boxing king, Manny Pacquiao. Filipina beauties have won in international competitions; Filipinos are known worldwide for singing talents.

We might be tempted to ask, “Why am I not blessed with extraordinary skills and exceptional talents?” Does God have favorites?

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The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25, 14-30) in this 33rd Sunday gospel gives us an answer. It tells us that God does give different gifts to everyone. One receives five talents (a currency during Jesus’ time), another two, and another one. Just why there is inequality of talents is a mystery. But wouldn’t it be a boring if everybody were all geniuses and mega stars? Or, if all were beauty queens, nobody around would admire and clap their hands.

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There is, indeed, inequality and everybody gets sufficient qualities to work with. It does not matter how many properties one has, but how one uses his gifts. For instance, a multi-millionaire may have enriched himself with his business acumen but did it through illegal means.

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The man in the parable who received one talent was not condemned because he had only one. He was condemned because he buried the one  talent in the ground and  failed to use it. Jesus said, he could have invested the little he had and showed the little profit.

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Christ’s Parable of the Talents also teaches us accountability. We will render an account of our gifts, whether that is a material wealth, a lofty position or an inborn skill before the Lord when He comes to judge us.

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Ask yourself: Did I use my talents for the good of people or only for my own good and enjoyment? Give thanks to God for your talents but don’t forget to share its fruits with the less gifted.

The Lord said: “To whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12,48).

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Let me conclude with  the words of renowned writer Grantland Rice, “For when the great scorer comes to write against your name, He writes — not that you won or lost — but how you played the game.”

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The lighter side. Once a professor, known for his sarcastic remarks, picked on a slow-witted student. “Jun, where were you when God was distributing brains?”  The whole class laughed. Regaining his composure, Jun countered, “Sir, didn’t you know? Magkatabi lang tayo!” (We were just beside each other!). Everybody roared against their nasty mentor. Lesson: Don’t look down on your less gifted brethren.

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Share your blessings. A benefactor, Salvador Monroy, wrote me, “I give because my money did not come from me alone but from God. My life in this world is limited. I have to prepare for the inevitable. I’m doing this by sharing the blessings I received from God.”

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Let us support our seminarians. Without them we cannot have priests, bishops and Popes. Please help also our sick indigents like leukemia patient Alison Genesis L. and sick Joshel C. E-mail me at: [email protected].