Memorial of Saint Monica

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.’

God gives us all exactly what we need to do His Will. He gives us gifts, talents, and opportunities to magnify Him by using these to their fullest potential. Unfortunately, we are often tempted to play it safe or to give up. These temptations lead us to bury our abilities and fail to do the good God wants us to do. Knowing, loving, and serving God and His children is not safe. It requires risking ourselves to do what is right even when the world tells us we are wrong or wasting our time. God will not accept us returning our gifts and talents without some return on His investment in us. He never sets us up to fail, but always to succeed in marvelous ways. However, we cannot succeed if we do not try. And if we do not try, then what little we have will be taken way and given to those who will use their talents to bring people closer to God.

Are we lazy or are we willing to risk ourselves for the love of God and His children? What can we do to multiply the gifts and talents God has given us? How can we become good and faithful servants, never afraid to do God's Will?

O Lord, give us the graces we need to multiply your love and mercy in the lives of all your children.

Amen.