Reflection for August 30 Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:14-30

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. 

Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘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.’ 

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘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.’ 

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 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.’”

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Reflection:

Do you know that the Good Lord has entrusted you with talents—gifts that are meant to be used for His glory and for the advancement of His kingdom in this world? Each one of us has been blessed uniquely, not for ourselves alone, but so that through us, others may encounter the goodness and love of God. 

In the Gospel, we hear of three servants entrusted with talents by their Master before He went on a journey. The first was given five, the second two, and the third only one—each according to their ability. When the Master returned, He called them to settle accounts. The first two servants had been faithful and productive; they multiplied what was given to them, fulfilling their Master’s desire. But the third servant, out of fear and complacency, buried his gift and produced nothing. 

The Master was deeply displeased. He rebuked him, saying that it would have been better to at least place the money in the bank where it could have earned interest. Because of his lack of faith and courage, the servant lost everything, even the little that he had, and was banished into the darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 

What a sobering warning! What a frightening fate for the servant who chose to waste the gift entrusted to him! If only he had risked using it, he would have been spared the shame and punishment. 

But what about us? This Gospel is not just a story—it is a mirror held up before our very lives. How often do we keep our gifts hidden, using them only for ourselves, or worse, not using them at all? Some of us may think that attending Mass every Sunday and giving during the collection is already enough. But the Lord desires more than routine offerings—He longs for us to pour ourselves out in love and service. 

The Church, again and again, calls for her children to share their talents. Perhaps you have the gift of singing—why not join the choir and help lead others to prayer? Perhaps you are drawn to humble service—why not join the Mother Butler Guild or another community of service in the parish? Perhaps you have the gift of teaching—why not guide the young as a catechist, planting the seeds of faith in their hearts? 

The possibilities are endless, for the vineyard of the Lord is vast, and the harvest is plenty. What matters most is not the greatness of the talent, but the willingness of the heart to offer it back to God. 

Let us, then, not bury what has been entrusted to us. Let us learn to share our talents with the Church and with our fellowmen, so that they may bear much fruit for the glory of God. Let us not act out of fear of punishment but out of love for Jesus, who first gave Himself for us. 

When we give back to Him what He has freely given, our lives become a living testimony of His grace, and we become true stewards of His kingdom. 

What talents can you give to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas