MAKE A WISE USE OF YOUR TALENTS

Homily for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scripture Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Matthew 25:14-30

The end of the year is usually a time of assessment and stock-taking. Following from this, as we stand at the threshold of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings of this penultimate Sunday in the liturgical year invite us to take stock of our journey of faith. The readings prompt us to assess how we have responded to the invitations, opportunities, teachings, and challenges presented to us throughout the liturgical cycle. They invite us to render an account of how we invested all that God has given us on the course of the year. The invitation is for us to engage in a spiritual “stock taking.”

The Parable of the Talents that is presented to us in the gospel reading serves as a fitting guide for our spiritual stock taking. At the heart of this parable is the concept of talents - units of currency in ancient times. In a broader sense, these talents represent the diverse gifts and resources God bestows upon each of us. In the parable, we were told that the before the master set out on a journey, he called his servants and entrusted to them, talents, each according to his ability. This indicates the master's intimate knowledge of his servants, affirming that God bestows gifts tailored to our unique capacities. This knowledge should make us cease to be jealous of those whom we think are more talented, gifted or endowed than us.

The master’s departure signifies the period of waiting - the time between the Ascension of Christ and Parousia, the Second Coming of Christ in glory. During this time, we are called to be faithful stewards, actively engaging in the work of the kingdom. From the parable, immediately the master departed, two of the servants immediately set to work, doubling their talents. Their diligence and industry reflect a profound understanding of stewardship. They recognize the value of the master’s trust, and their actions demonstrate a desire to collaborate with the master’s plans. This resonates with the call for us to use our God-given talents and gifts not merely for personal gain but for the growth of God’s kingdom.

In contrast, the third servant buried his talent out of fear. His response reveals a distorted image of the master - one driven by fear rather than love. This fear leads to inaction, and he becomes paralyzed by the imagined severity of the master. Here, Jesus highlights the destructive nature of fear in stifling the potential for growth and fruitfulness in the kingdom. Fear can hinder us from fully embracing the opportunities that life presents to us. In all our endeavors, we must not allow fear of inadequacy, change, or the unknown - to stifle our growth.

The imagery of settling accounts and the impending return of the Master challenges us to reflect deeply on our stewardship of God’s gifts and our readiness for the culmination of the kingdom. The joyous commendation of the faithful servants – “Well done, my good and faithful servant” -celebrates their faithfulness in small matters, promising them greater responsibilities and a share in the master's joy. This echoes the divine reward for those who faithfully steward their talents in building God's kingdom.

Dear friend, as we reflect on this parable, let us consider its relevance for our lives today. Each of us has received talents - gifts of time, skills, resources, and grace. The parable challenges us to examine how we are using these talents in our daily lives. Are we actively engaging in the work of the kingdom, or are we burying our gifts out of fear, complacency, or distraction? Let us pray for the grace to be faithful, fruitful, and intentional stewards of the abundant gifts God has bestowed upon us. Let us embrace the trust God places in us, actively collaborate in His divine plan, and allow our lives to be fruitful for the growth of His kingdom.