Daily Retreat 11/16/08
2008 Nov 16 SUN: THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Prv 31: 10-13. 19-20. 30-31/ Ps 127(128): 1-2. 3. 4-5/ 1 Thes 5: 1-6/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “ When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.... Blessed are those who fear the Lord.... Let us stay alert and sober.... A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them....”
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? Incidentally, the English word “talent” is directly derived from this parable!
To make this parable more concrete, a few years ago, I gave everyone in my congregation a roll of 50 pennies. Then, I asked everyone to think of ways to be a “good and faithful servant” so that even that little gift of 50 pennies could be used for good. Some very creative ideas came up!
Obviously, I can’t afford to give even 50¢ to everyone reading these virtual retreat reflections - sorry! But, you can still do the exercise of figuring out how even a small amount can be used for something good, and then, sizing up how much God has given you in His generosity, figure out how to make the most of your talents to serve God as He would like!
Prv 31: 10-13. 19-20. 30-31/ Ps 127(128): 1-2. 3. 4-5/ 1 Thes 5: 1-6/ Mt 25: 14-30
From today’s readings: “ When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.... Blessed are those who fear the Lord.... Let us stay alert and sober.... A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them....”
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? Incidentally, the English word “talent” is directly derived from this parable!
To make this parable more concrete, a few years ago, I gave everyone in my congregation a roll of 50 pennies. Then, I asked everyone to think of ways to be a “good and faithful servant” so that even that little gift of 50 pennies could be used for good. Some very creative ideas came up!
Obviously, I can’t afford to give even 50¢ to everyone reading these virtual retreat reflections - sorry! But, you can still do the exercise of figuring out how even a small amount can be used for something good, and then, sizing up how much God has given you in His generosity, figure out how to make the most of your talents to serve God as He would like!
posted by FrPitstick | 11/15/2008
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