After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning.
The one who had received five talents came with another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted
me with five talents, but see, I have gained five more.’ The master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,
since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you in charge of many things.
Come and share the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received two talents came and said,
‘Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; with them I have gained two more.’
The master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things,
I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.’
Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I know that you are a hard man.
You reap what you have not sown, and gather what you have not scattered.
I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours!’
But his master replied, ‘Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where
I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered. You should have deposited my money in the bank,
and given it back to me with interest on my return. Therefore, take the talent from him,
and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given,
and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what
they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into outer darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

LECTIO DIVINA:

Read: The theme of the Readings this Sunday is “Blessed be the Responsible Steward.”
The Ideal wife, according to the book of Proverbs is the industrious housewife.
The 2nd Reading (2 Thes5) exhorts the believers to be on the watch or be alert for the
“day of the Lord” or the day of death. The Gospel praises the servant who uses the “talents” entrusted to him.
Becoming productive with the gifts and the time given us puts us on the road to Blessedness!

Reflect: Continuing the theme of Blessedness in the month of November is recognizing the double reality
– salvation or beatitude is a gift or grace, and at the same time beatitude demands personal responsibility
or responding positively to the gifts or graces received. We are all servants awaiting our Lord and Master.
Blessed indeed is the servant whom the Lord will find “on duty” when He comes.

Pray: We are to examine ourselves this Sunday. We have to ask: “Do I recognize the many blessings
and graces the Lord has given me? Do I use well the gifts I have been given? Am I a responsible steward
of what has been entrusted to me by my Lord?”

Act: Today is a good day to thank the Lord for our gifts, our talents. Rejoicing in GRACE makes us
GRATEFUL to the One source of all blessings and finally impels us to be GENEROUS in giving to others
as good Stewards.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2020