Yesterday, we said that God’s plan is a Project of Hope. You may ask: what exactly is my role in God’s Project of Hope? Apparently, our identity is not only as ones who are saved. Jesus was taken up into heaven so that we can “take His place” to do ”greater works” according to His instructions, while He is seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us, and for our ministries (John 14:12). That’s why we cannot  slack off or remain idle. We need to work hard, not for ourselves but for God, and for His people whom He loves.

As Christians, each one of us plays a unique role in God’s salvific plan; a mission that is not interchangeable and is solely intended for each individual.  

This passage inspires us to fully utilize the “talents” that we received from God, otherwise they will be taken away from us. However, some may think, “I’m definitely not as capable and talented as others.  Since I have received fewer talents from God, He probably won’t expect too much from me; so, I could just take it easy as I won’t need to worry about not being able to account for my talents before God at the end.” 

In reality, we are not only given talents as we would normally perceive them, but also a lot of other visible and invisible gifts, especially the graces that cannot be accounted for.  We should never reserve these gifts for ourselves only.

In a broader sense, we can consider God’s LOVE and MERCY for us as part of those “talents” given to us. God’s love for us is one of the greatest gifts. We often say that we are a “conduit of God’s love” to the world. Indeed, God’s love has been poured upon us and is overflowing. Such overflowing love should never be hidden but should be allowed to flow through us unto others, especially those around us, like our family members.  Therefore, one of the organic and most important ways for us to use our talents is in the works of charity. 

Besides the generous gift of LOVE, we are also given an abundance of MERCY from our Heavenly Father, especially in the way God has forgiven our sins and absolved all our debts of sins owed to Him. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant that Jesus told as Peter came and asked Jesus how often he should forgive others (ref. Matthew 18:21-35)? “Seven times?” Peter asked. “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” Jesus replied. Shocking? Indeed! But Jesus means it when He wants us to forgive without calculation.   When we are forgiven more, God expects us to forgive others more generously.  Therefore, let us be as compassionate and merciful as our Heavenly Father.  May we make this our life’s work (ref. Luke 6:36)!

Talents also imply the TIME entrusted to us on earth. We are not masters of the time we have at hand. We do not live for ourselves alone but for God as well as the benefits of others.  In the end, we need to be accountable to God for whether we have used our time wisely!

In sum, the talents we, as Christians, received from God have to be quite substantial!  Therefore, if we are heavily laden by a multitude of earthly burdens, especially those that we impose upon ourselves, like amassing material and immaterial things, how can we attend to the “greater works” that Jesus wants us to do?

Let us go back to the Bible verse,

If we don’t know what God has entrusted with and demanded of us, we won’t know how we can better structure our lives and use the TALENTS entrusted to us in order to fulfil what is required of us.

We can’t afford to keep living as if we have a lot of time at our disposal; time that can be spent aimlessly and thoughtlessly. If we continue to think that we have an endless supply of time, we are either avoiding reality, or being misguided by secular values or by our egos!  Therefore, Jesus warns us in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, Verse 13,

See, now is the “acceptable time” for us to die to our old selves and put on Christ!

Let us remind ourselves not to receive God’s grace in vain, but yearn to be God’s collaborators (ref. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2)! 

Reflection

Besides your natural talents, what are the gifts and graces that God has bestowed on you?

In what ways are you called to be generous with all the gifts that have been given to you by God?

Today’s Prayer

Kind and merciful Abba Father, thank you for allowing me to count all the graces and love that You have given me through today’s reflection.  You have also reminded me that it is not for me that I live but for You and the benefits of all those around me.  Forgive my past failings; the times that I have failed to cherish my life that is given by You, and failed to fully utilize the time and all the graces, bestowed by You, to serve my sisters and brothers.  Starting today, I am determined to make good use of the time and opportunities provided by You, so that I may reciprocate Your love.  For this I pray in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.