The parable of the talents is a beautiful story. Each time I read it, I feel very blessed by God. God is a good all the time. He gives us talents according to our ability. The rich man in today’s parable knew the abilities of his servants. Before he set out on his journey he entrusted his property “to each according to his ability.” Now, the question is: Why did the third servant bury his talent in the ground? Because of the fear. He said to his master : “I was afraid, and I went off and bury your talent in the ground.” And we know how fear prevents us from doing what we are capable to do. We know how fear prevents us to commit ourselves. We know how fear presents us to speak. Fear to be criticized. Fear to fail. Fear to be hurt. Fear to lose friends. Fear to make mistakes. Because of the fear , we miss the opportunity to serve. Because of the fear we miss the opportunity to help and make people happy. Because of the fear we bury our talents in the ground.
We have each been graced in some way by the Lord for the service of others. If we hide what the Lord has given us, others will be deprived. Think about it : If you hide what the Lord has given you, many people will be deprived. That is why many times in the New Testament, Jesus says: “Do not be afraid. Everything we do as Christians for the kingdom of God, is risky. So everywhere, there is the risk of the cross, but without taking risk of losing, of being hurt, nothing good never happen. I think today’s gospel wants to teach us to worry less about what we might lose in life, and to set our eyes on what we might win. I encourage you to take risk for God. I encourage you to take risk to put your talents serving the Church. I encourage you to take risk to imitate Jesus, to be like Jesus. I encourage you to take risk to love like Jesus, to serve like Jesus. Take a risk to act like Jesus. To do what Jesus expect from you. So, I encourage you to take risk to put your talents to work. We need your talents. We need your ability to serve. We need your ability to lead groups. We need your ability to pray for the people. We need your ability to visit the sick , the homebound. Don’t bury your talents. We need them . Don’t bury what you have. The treasure God gives us to invest does no good in the ground. Hopefully, at the end of the time , God says to us: ‘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.
