Reflection
A talent may be a very valuable unit of money, but it can equally be for us in English a gift that we have to use to the best of our ability.
How do I use my talents to the best of my ability? As the parable suggests, it doesn’t matter how talented I am.
Let me be honest about my talents. Let me not pretend not to be talented, or be too shy to put myself forward. All I have to do is use my talents well.
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: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: A Scripture reading to imagine you are in the scene.
Scripture
Matthew 25:14-30 WEB
Jesus said: “For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability.
Then he went on his journey.
Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them.
He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying,
‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents.
Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things.
Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter.
I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.
You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Miserere – Psalm 50: Sung by: Emma Nwobilor, Caitlin Foster, Michael Foster, John Griffith Translation: Myles Coverdale