Serve Well
Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
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
“…the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We might have heard the saying that at the end of our lives we’ll all have to “give an account to God”—that He will examine all we have done. There are many great truths taught in this parable of the master and his servants, but we will focus on one particular point now: that we are servants of God, who is the Master. As servants, or stewards, we must remember that everything we have is ultimately God’s. We are very used to thinking that our time is our time, that our money is our money, that our gifts and talents are our gifts and talents, that our children are our children. But that isn’t how Jesus thinks. First and foremost, all these things are God’s.
As stewards, we are in charge of our Master’s riches for a time, until He asks for them back. How are we spending the time He has given us? Playing hours of video games? In constant busyness? Participating in unfulfilling activities? … Or do we use our time for God and others? How are we spending the money He has given us? On extra comforts, electronics, and accessories? … Or do we spend it for God and others? How are we using the talents He has given us? For money, attention, and popularity? … Or for the glory of God and to assist others? How are we raising the children He has given us? To be popular, successful, and comfortable in the world? … Or to be citizens of heaven, to belong to God and to find supreme happiness? Remember, we are stewards of God’s riches, and God takes these riches very seriously!
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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