Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time (September 1, 2018): Do you enjoy God's gifts?

Thứ Sáu, 31-08-2018 | 15:33:56

Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Psalm 33:12-13, 18-21
Matthew 25:14-30
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090118.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_09_01.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five 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.’
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.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”

Master, I knew that you are a hard man, so I was afraid and hid your gold. Here is what belongs to you.” (From Saturday’s Gospel reading)

Reflection for Saturday: Do you enjoy God’s gifts?

By Graciela Ramos, Director of Online Ministry

Once I gave a person I loved very much a pair of simple but beautiful earrings that matched her green eyes. Although they were not expensive, it took me considerable time to save enough money to buy them. But I saved with much love and anticipation, always looking forward to how they would look on her.

When her birthday finally arrived, I presented them to her. She liked them very much! I had hoped she would wear them, but she said she already had a pair that matched her outfit and she would wear them on another occasion.

Time passed, but she never wore those special emerald green earrings. I didn’t want to pry, so I didn’t inquire about them. Many years later when she was very, very old, I checked her jewelry box and asked, “Didn’t you like these earrings? I never saw you wear them.”

“On the contrary,” she replied. “I loved them so much that I decided not to wear them so I wouldn’t spoil or lose them.”

My mother was a very beautiful woman with beautiful green eyes. I knew these earrings, though not costly, would look absolutely beautiful on her. Unfortunately, I was never able to see what I had imagined because she never wore them.

Just as we give gifts to those we love, God endows us with infinitely more beautiful gifts: eternal life, the love of the Father, reconciliation with him, total and complete forgiveness of our sins, unique talents and abilities. Many of God’s precious gifts cost him dearly. What have you done with these gifts? Are you using them? Do you ever feel beautiful wearing the splendors your Father has given you at the cost of the blood of his Son? He has obtained everything at such a great price so that you can experience his immeasurable, eternal Love.

Every day is an opportunity for you and me to walk through life showing how much our Father loves us, gratefully wearing the jewels he offers us. Every day you and I have the chance to change the world around us simply by using the special gifts and talents our loving Father has so generously given us. He knows exactly what we need for our joy.

Are you wearing your beautiful green earrings?

Tags: Good News Reflection, Holy Gospel according to Matthew, Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time