Today’s Picture: Jesus teaching his Disciples by James Tissot
The Teachings of Jesus: Using your God-given gifts
We all have different gifts, different talents.
We are called to make the most of what we have been given.
Wanting what others have or not settling for who we are leads to unhappiness.
Using our own gifts well for others and for making the world a better place brings consolation and leads to contentment.
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: The grace to use your talents well.
Setting: Imagine Jesus telling you this story.
Matthew 25:14-30 HCSB
“For it is just like a man going on a journey.
He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents;to another, two; and to another,
one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey.
Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work,
and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more.
But the man who had received one talent went off,
dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more
talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more
talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave!
You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Share your master’s joy!’
“Then the man with two talents also approached.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents.
Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave!
You were faithful over a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said,
‘Master, I know you.
You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown
and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.
So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground.
Look, you have what is yours.’
“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave!
If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered,
then you should have deposited my money with the bankers.
And when I returned I would have received my moneyback with interest.
“‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
For to everyone who has, more will be given,
and he will have more than enough.
But from the one who does not have,
even what he has will be taken away from him.
Conversation: You may want to talk with Jesus about this parable?
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Today’s Music: Make me a Channel of your Peace, sung by Katherine Jenkins
Click for more music from Katherine Jenkins (Channel of your Peace on CD Guiding Light)