PRI Reflections on Scripture • 8-31-24 - Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Finding God In Our Hearts with Msgr. Don Fischer

Gospel

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.’”

Reflection

God has promised us that he will give us the strength and the ability to do whatever we are called to do. It's a form of confidence. And when our confidence is not in God but in self, then we're going to feel something. It's natural. It's called fear. I don't know if I can do this.

If it is something that God has asked you to do, this parable makes clear he's not going to ask you to do something that you can't. So what is it that gnaws away at confidence? It's fear and too much focus on me. My abilities. My capacity to do the work. I'm never asked to work alone. That's the issue.

Closing Prayer

Father, It's so easy for us to doubt your promised spirit that dwells within us accomplishing your tasks. Give us a stronger faith in this most core thing you've taught us. You are in us, you dwell in our hearts, and you can accomplish anything that you choose through us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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