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33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 15/11/2020 - Gospel: Mt 25: 14-30
Honesty
The parable of the talents says whatever talents we have; it is God, Who has given them in the first place. The word 'talent' has broad meanings: life, wisdom, memory, skills, etc.... God expects us to develop the talents to their potential. God doesn't ask us to do anything big, complicated, but something small and simple. Simple good things God magnifies to be mountains. Any attempt to work on something beyond the human capacity is not from God, but from a human's desire. Project claiming to 'prove' the non-existence of God certainly fail, such matters are beyond human capacity.

Honesty and truthfulness lead us to God. Dishonesty and lies are the hidden roads leading to life- ruin and destruction. Honesty and truthfulness are signs of God's goodness. They are the lights of our hearts, the rules of thumb for our actions, and the Christian ways of life. 'From small things, big things grow' is the motto on television promoting for a super scheme. Honesty and truthfulness in small things cemented great trust in today's Gospel.

The parable tells a story. The Master entrusted different amounts of talents to his servants. Each received talents according to his ability. The Master's returning time was unknown, but his return was certain. The first two servants loved their Master, and loved the tasks assigned. They performed well, and proved their Master was right about his judgment on their abilities. The Master was happy. He praised them for their honesty, and rewarded them with more talents. However, one servant, who had no love for his Master, failed the Master's expectation. From his own words, we know his heart. ' I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is, it was yours, you have it back'. vs. 24-25. This servant judged his Master harshly. The judgement was not from his own knowledge of the Master, but was dictated from others. He was in a bad company, and received ill advice. Second, the servant didn't realize that he didn't judge his Master, but rather he judged himself. Third, fear caused him to act recklessly. It paralysed his ability to take a risk, even though risk- taking is part of living. Risk and sacrifice are realities of life. Without genuine sacrifice there is no true love; without taking risks no good things are done. Living itself is a big risk, and it is worth taking. The Master expected the servants to learn from him, to take a risk. Entrusting the talents to his servants was a risky business, and yet the Master went down that path.
 
Faithful servants work hard, whether the Master is near or far. They don't see themselves as paid servants, but do the work as of their own, and do it with joy, because love in their hearts dictates their lives. Dishonest servants hate to work, but love power. They abuse their power over other workers, and neglect their duty. Such behaviour would make life a heavy burden for others.
The Master rewarded the honest servants with more talents, and punished the dishonest ones. We pray for wisdom to use our talents wisely as our loving God expects us to do.

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