What Talents Do You Have?

   

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

19 November 2023

 

First Reading: Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6

Gospel: Mt 25:14-30

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

The Gospel for today is a continuation of the parables told by Jesus. Last Sunday, we saw the parable of the ten virgins who waited for the Bridegroom with their lamps. Today, we are presented with the parables of the talents. The parable tells us that each servant is given a different amount, according to their ability. It is a wonderful lesson of how we are called to use God’s gifts for His glory. It’s also a firm reminder of God’s expectations of His children and how His expectations vary according to our ability.

The Parable of the Talents taught by Jesus is urging us to be ready for the master’s return. Jesus is that master who went on a journey when He ascended to heaven. After a long time, the master, Jesus, will return which is either at the moment of our death or at His Second Coming. Whenever He comes again, we will stand before Him with our talents. The talents were not distributed to each servant equally in the parable. However, we have to understand that what we have received from God is not something small but is gigantic. A talent as well, as being a unit of weight, was also currency, and its value was 6,000 day’s wages, twenty years wages. The servants are receiving something that is gigantic in their times. What God gives us is equally colossal and priceless. We have received so much from God that we take for granted.

We are asked to make most of the “talents” we have received from the goodness of God. How so? Through sharing. The talents given to the three servants are not so much monetary gifts or personal capacities; they are a share in the goodness of God, a participation in His divine love. They are meant to be shared. In fact, they will increase precisely in the measure that they are given to others. Most of the time, we have failed to see and cultivate the gifts that were given to us. It is because we are afraid to explore our capacities or worse, unwilling to share the grace we have received. The problem with the timid servant who buried his talent is not that he was an ineffective venture capitalist but that he fundamentally misunderstood the nature of what he had been given. The Divine Mercy—received as a pure gift—is meant to be given to others as a pure gift. Buried in the ground, that is to say, hugged tightly to oneself as one’s own possession. Burying it or keeping to oneself loses the very essence of the gift we have received—it fails to grow, it remains stagnant and futile. How often we are paralyzed by fear or false prudence into doing nothing, into trying to preserve ourselves! Sometimes, we don’t take God’s gifts seriously or think we have been given very little, and we use that as a rationalization for making no effort or producing little for God. We blame circumstances or others, but the fact is we are neglecting to produce the fruits God wants. The servants who invest their talents and make a return on them have understood the purpose of their lives and the time they have at their disposal. These servants were generous with everything their master had given them, making it bear fruit, and they received from him the reward of greater intimacy and more responsibility.

There is no difference between those who have received more and those who have received less. All have their gift according to their capacity. What is important is that this gift be placed at the service of the Kingdom and make the goods of the Kingdom grow. These gifts are love, fraternal spirit, sharing.

Prayer

God, Our Father, help us to see the gigantic talents that You have given to each of us so we can cultivate it, share it to others, and bear fruit when You return. All these we ask through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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.

Live Not by Fear, but by Faith

 

 

 

First Sunday of Advent 

29 November 2020

First Reading IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7

You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.

Second Reading 1 COR 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God

always on your account for the grace

of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel  MK 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

 

 

Reflection

By: Art Reyes

 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. It is a Latin word that means approaching, coming, expecting. This is the time for preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the need to be watchful and vigilant. "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come."

It is indeed frightening when we think about the quote as nobody knows when his time will come. Basically, nobody wants to see his death, much more unprepared. However, when we reflect upon it, we can realize that having  that "unknown" is perhaps a blessing.

The Gospel reminds us of our responsibility. What happens to us after we die is determined by how we lead our lives each and every day. We are the ones who decide what our "afterlife" will be. If we live a good life and strive to be loving and kind every day and share our time, gifts, and talents with others, we will likely be rewarded when we finally see our Creator.

However, we can not just sit idly and wait until the last minute. We need to take action. Maybe we can ask ourselves of these questions - Do we share our time, talents, and attention with other people? Do we share and spread love with our family, the people in our offices, our neighbors, and even strangers? If we choose to do these things, we are on the right track! In our death, we will be in God's loving presence!

 

Again, our country experienced the onslaught of super typhoons, two in a row. And that is coupled with the lingering virus threats. These are exceptional times. It is the time for giving and sharing, especially to so many of our brothers and sisters in our country who are suffering. Let us remember that acts of goodness and charity on our part will never be left unnoticed by our God.

 

Life is short, and death is uncertain. Let us free our hearts of hate, selfishness, greed, and replace them with love, compassion, and empathy.

 

I know without a doubt that our country and world will survive this pandemic just like we survive the recent natural calamities. We are not living in fear. We are living in faith! Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko!

Prayer

 

My God, in all humility we ask You for the grace so that we may live a meaningful life. May we not live a life that is vain and empty. When our life ends, may we be ready to face our living God. Amen.

 

Use It or Lose It

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

15 November 2020
First reading Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

When one finds a worthy wife,

her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,

has an unfailing prize.

She brings him good, and not evil,

all the days of her life.

She obtains wool and flax

and works with loving hands.

She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her fingers ply the spindle.

She reaches out her hands to the poor,

and extends her arms to the needy.

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her a reward for her labors,

and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Second reading                          1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,

you have no need for anything to be written to you. 

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come

like a thief at night.

When people are saying, "Peace and security,"

then sudden disaster comes upon them,

like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,

and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,

for that day to overtake you like a thief. 

For all of you are children of the light

and children of the day.

We are not of the night or of darkness. 

Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,

but let us stay alert and sober.

Gospel                                           Matthew 25:14-30

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.'"

 

Reflection

By Art B. Reyes

 

Today’s Gospel talks about the Parable of the Talents.  God has given us talents. These are the skills, the abilities that each of us uniquely possessed. They are just there, waiting to be discovered, utilized, and put into good use. Our talents must not be hidden or put to waste but rather be maximized and shared for common good.

 

The Gospel says that each man was given talents “according to his own ability”.  Sounds unfair in worldly standard, but everything is equal, at the end of our days, when final accounting is done. Each of us will be judged not according to the quantities of talents we’ve been given but how we developed and used those.

 

There are people who are good in making money in their chosen business, and there are those who are big earners in their lucrative employment. They are successful not only because of their talents, but because they take action and work hard. In the parable, the man receiving only 1 talent did not work, and as a result he earned nothing in return.

 

There are people whose talents are limited but they excel in what they do. It is because they give their very best. We can all be successful when we give our finest and leave everything else to God. As in the story, both servants were successful, even though one ended up with a greater return.

 

We fail when we don’t use our talents. We don’t succeed either when we abuse them. It is our duty to use our talents, no matter how much we’ve been given. We need to leverage our opportunities. We need to work, strive, and develop our talents to glorify God in the process.

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

To date, there are about 52 million people infected by the deadly Covid 19 virus already. The pandemic has claimed so many lives and livelihoods. Last  Monday, BioNTech and Pfizer announced that a vaccine for the coronavirus developed by Dr. Sahin and his team was more than 90 percent effective in preventing the disease among trial volunteers. The stunning results vaulted the company to the front of the race to find a cure for a disease that has killed more than 1.2 million people worldwide.

 

BioNTech, which Dr. Sahin founded with his wife, Dr. Özlem Türeci, was mostly focused on cancer treatments. They have dedicated their lives to the field of oncology and infectious diseases, and spent years pioneering treatments for cancer. Sahin has been described as a "modest and humble" person. ”Despite his achievements, he never changed from being incredibly humble and personable," his colleague said. 

 

The couple live with their teenage daughter in a modest apartment near their office. They ride bicycles to work. They do not own a car. They are extremely talented but very down to earth people.

 

Our talent is to be discovered, utilized, and shared. It is not only for oneself, but for others. Our talents and blessings should lead us to be humble, and to be grateful to God.

Prayer

Lord, show us the gifts and talents You have given us. Help us share with others these gifts which we enjoy. Let us learn to use them for Your glory. Amen.

Be an Expert of One Thing and Bless the World.

The Baptism of the Lord
13 January 2019

First reading                                                                  Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Thus says the Lord:
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

Second reading                                                    Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Gospel                                                                      John 1:1-18

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Reflection

By Gary Tulabut

In our prayer group, I used to do a lot of things. I used to handle all the following: design promotional materials, handle social media, make the newsletter, lead worship, make power point slides, and be the clicker. At first it was because there were only a few of us servants. Later, it was because of other negative things such as clinging on to dear positions, being a perfectionist, lack of trust with the abilities of other servants, and so on. The results were terrible. Despite being a perfectionist, I end up with mediocre work. Some tasks are even left undone. Or sometimes I ask for help at the last minute.

But slowly I learned to delegate and became less of a perfectionist and more trusting with others’ abilities.

Aside from leading worship and, soon, delivering talks, the only other task left with me now is making the newsletter, which I am also giving up soon.

St. John the Baptist knew his tasks. When asked of an expertise that was not his, he pointed to the RIGHT PERSON.

Let’s learn to delegate and have everyone involved, especially in ministry.

Don’t be a jack-of-all-trades with average results. It’s better to be an expert of one (or few) thing(s) and bless the world.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for the talents. Guide us in honing them and in using them in ministry. All for Your glory. Amen.

 

Our Talent is a Gift from God

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time   19 November 2017

First reading

Proverbs 31:10-13

A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs a the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

                

Second reading

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!

But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Gospel

Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who, before going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”

Reflection

by Art B. Reyes

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the Parable of the Talents. We all have talents that God has given us but we are to discover, develop, and share them. Our talents must not be hidden or put to waste, but must be maximized and put to good use. 

When I was in grade school, my music teacher asked the class who from us would like to be a part of the rondalla (a stringed instrument) band. I eagerly raised my hand, without hesitation. When the time came that we are about to meet, our music instructor told us that we are to provide our own instrument. The school, being a public institution, did not have any resource to give or lend us any. I backed out because my family did not have money to buy a ukulele. I still regret that opportunity though in my later age I was able to get and learn to play a guitar by myself. 

Learning to play the guitar was a challenging process, it was not easy. I could have been a better player if only I started playing in my middle childhood years. But some of my friends, even in their later age, learned it faster, and with ease. I had to put lots of hours and hard work to play just a song. 

Are there more gifted people than others? Are they more talented? According to our Gospel, everything evens up at the final accounting when each one of us will be judged not by the quantity but on how we developed and used our talents. The Lord has given us a lot of things: money, resources, natural talents. It is expected of us not only to conserve these things but to grow them. 

Our gifts or talents are given to us for the service of others. They are lent to us. Let us not hide or keep them. Let us generously share them. If we fail to use these gifts, it would be a waste, a displeasure in the eyes of God. On the other hand, if we make use of these talents in the service to our fellowmen, God will reward us of many blessings. The goal should be to develop, increase, and grow what God has given us, for His honor and glory. 

Prayer

O Lord, we thank You for all your blessings. Help us discover within ourselves the beauty and gifts we posses. Make us serve others in the community and in so doing glorify You. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.