Daily Retreat 09/2/06
2006 Sep 2 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
1 Cor 1: 26-31/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.... Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.... Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more!”
Talents
The word “talent” is mentioned a couple of times in the Gospel of St. Matthew. In this context, it refers to a mammoth unit of money, like a gold or silver brick. It’s hard to give an equivalent in modern currency, but to get a close estimate, consider the following: Each talent was worth about 6000 denarius coins; each denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wages, say, around $50. So it’s clear the master was extremely generous with his servants!
But even that generosity pales compared with God’s generosity for each of us. Think of just a few of the many blessings you’ve received from God - ask yourself: have you used these “talents” wisely, or have you buried them?
In fact, although “talent” is originally a Greek word, the Oxford English Dictionary asserts that the modern English use of the word “talent” to denote an ability or aptitude is not coincidental - it’s directly derived from this parable! This shows how the Sacred Scriptures can and ought to be our point of reference - if only we use our talents as God intends!
1 Cor 1: 26-31/ Ps 32(33): 12-13. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.... Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.... Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more!”
Talents
The word “talent” is mentioned a couple of times in the Gospel of St. Matthew. In this context, it refers to a mammoth unit of money, like a gold or silver brick. It’s hard to give an equivalent in modern currency, but to get a close estimate, consider the following: Each talent was worth about 6000 denarius coins; each denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wages, say, around $50. So it’s clear the master was extremely generous with his servants!
But even that generosity pales compared with God’s generosity for each of us. Think of just a few of the many blessings you’ve received from God - ask yourself: have you used these “talents” wisely, or have you buried them?
In fact, although “talent” is originally a Greek word, the Oxford English Dictionary asserts that the modern English use of the word “talent” to denote an ability or aptitude is not coincidental - it’s directly derived from this parable! This shows how the Sacred Scriptures can and ought to be our point of reference - if only we use our talents as God intends!
posted by FrPitstick | 9/01/2006
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