May Our Talents Glorify God

   

  Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

18 September 2022 

 

First Reading: Am 8:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Tm 2:1-8

Gospel: Lk 16:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Gharri Tulabut

 

It really amazes me how students can come up with different tactics on how to cheat during an examination. In my personal experience with my students, small things such as making noise to signal whether the answer is A, B, C, or D is a common thing.  Some would even make their own alphabet and write kodigos right there on the board before my very eyes. Oh, I can only wonder what other techniques they come up with especially recently that they take quizzes online. Have you seen the movie Bad Genius? Students in that movie are for me the Mafia or drug lords of cheating.

One time, before an exam, I made a speech before my students, “We hate cheaters, don’t we? Cheaters in business. Cheaters in the government. But here you are, helping each other planning a scheme on how to cheat in small things such as these exams. We hate cheaters in relationships, but here you are young boyfriends and girlfriends helping each other cheat in your quizzes.” Then I even made a false claim, ”Well, studies say that cheaters in class becomes cheaters in relationships.” I think I heard someone say “That’s why we don’t believe in studies.” Hahaha.

What really amazes me is the fact that those who cheat, whether in class or in any other aspect of life, can spend so much energy in planning and executing their shrewd deed. Why not use this energy in doing the right things? Like instead on planning where to write the answers inside the classroom or what signals to use for the answers, why not use the energy to study? Instead of planning a scheme on how to cheat in business, why not plan on how to please the customers to have a loyal customer base? Or plan on how to improve the product.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus praised the shrewd steward in the parable. I am sure the steward was not commended for his cheating but rather for his strategic abilities. If only he could use this ability for good. Same is true with us. God has blessed us with wonderful talents. If only we could use these talents and our energy in doing God’s works on earth. God will truly be glorified.

Prayer

We thank you Father for our talents. May we use these talents to do Your works. May these talents bear fruit that will give back the glory to You. Amen.