Accepting and Developing Our Gifts
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.'"
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“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.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The “talent” mentioned in today’s Gospel is a measurement of money (probably the weight of the money, which indicates its value.) Jesus tells a parable about this money, a rich man, and his servants in order to teach us about the gifts God gives to each of us. God blesses all of us with gifts: spiritual gifts, material gifts, physical and intellectual abilities. Each of us receives different gifts (Romans 12:6), however. There is no one who has been given or will be given exactly the same gifts as each of usindividually. No two people are exactly alike: God has made each of us to be a unique reflection of Him.
It is a beautiful responsibility and a great task to become fully ourselves as God made us to be. The more we accept our unique gifts, the more perfectly we will reflect the wonderful and beautiful aspects of God that only we each can display. First, we must accept our gifts. (If God made us servant-hearted, but not charismatic, then we need to accept that!) Next, we must develop our gifts. (If God made us artistic, then we should practice and improve our skills in art.) Finally, we must share our gifts. (If God made us rich, then we should use our wealth for the benefit of others.) When we accept, develop, and share our specific gifts, we will give God glory, we will be happy ourselves, we will help others, and we will be for the world an image of God that only we individually can be. During prayer, let’s each consider our own gifts and what we are doing with them. We must never forget that we each are uniquely important to God’s heart and to God’s plan!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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