Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
August 31, 2024

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083124.cfm

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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.’
Matthew 25: 20-21

In this passage from Matthew, the “talents” are the currency that attains eternal joy. It is not so much about how many talents one has. Instead, it is about how one remains faithful in using them.

Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:
The parable tells us that God exists in the Joy that flows from Infinite Generosity. When we invest our talents for the sake of others, we are invited to share in that Divine Joy.

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Poetry: Sonnet on his Blindness by John Milton

With implied reference to the Parable of the Talents, Milton reflects on the loss of one talent – his sight which enabled him to write. His reflection acknowledges that God does not need any of our talents, but rather our faith which “only stands and waits”.

When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?
I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best, his state
Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.

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Music: Ode to Joy – Ludwig von Beethoven