Reflection for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time…November 15, 2020

By Barbara Hickey, Notre Dame Associate

 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, and to the third one talent, according to their abilities. The one who received the five talents traded them and made another five; the one who received two talents made another two. The one who received one talent buried his talent.

When the master returned he was pleased with the first two servants who multiplied their talents but was angry with the one who did not. He was thrown out of the master’s home for his failure.

“Talents” in today’s reading refers to money. We are more familiar with talents being something we share with others, something to entertain them, something to show them. Money and talents mean entirely different things depending on where you live. Whether you are a philanthropist or a Christmas bell ringer you are sharing the talents you have to give.

Will God be pleased with what we return to Him – will we multiply our talents or bury them?