As social beings, our life on Earth is steered by relationships. A relationship could be established through family ties, marriage, friendship, acquaintances, association, or the environment in which we find ourselves. Not to be able to be involved in any relationship at all can be a terrible and worrisome situation in life. Even the Blessed Trinity (in whose image and likeness we are made) live the life of cooperation. To be truly human, relationship is pertinent and that implies eschewing and letting go of our self- sufficiency and unhealthy competition and embracing love und understanding.
Absence of Good Relationship
In the parable of the talent, one thing noticeable in the character of the servant who did not use his talent well is the absence of good relationship with his master. “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came.“ ”Master,” he said, “I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” Here it is evident that the servant is not happy with his master. The man thought that his master gave him the smallest treasure out of hatred. But he could not see the generosity of the master, who gave freely from what he has. Nor could he see the confident trust of his master, who did not stipulate what they must do with what he entrusted to them. He, who trusted their goodwill and friendliness. The servant lacks the understanding that one does not have to be the best (greatest) at all times. One must not have what the other person has in order to be happy. It is not what one has that matters, but how one uses what he has to the benefit of the society.
Mutual Understanding
Thus, the hallmark of relationship among spouse, family members, co-workers, and students should be mutual understanding, tolerance and satisfaction with what one has. Where mutual trust is lacking, bias, grievances and unhealthy competition set in. And one becomes beclouded from seeing the good in what one has. Let us learn from this parable that our attitude towards the master (and coworkers) makes the difference. With a good attitude, we can achieve a lot and even change an unjust master. But with a negative attitude, one will not be able to focus well and put his/her talents to utmost use.
What could have helped the servant to have a good attitude is fraternal dialogue with the master. Feeling cheated, he could have approached the master to inquire why he gave him only one talent. It could be that the master is not interested in the amount of talent one possesses. Silent nursing of annoyance can destroy good relationships. For us to enjoy good relationship, it is always important to embrace dialogue.
Prayerful Dialogue
Also in our relationship with God, the prayerful dialogue remains indispensable in difficult moments. Prayers or quiet moment before God helps us to make good use of our talent. When this relationship is lacking, one may see himself putting his talent to a very bad use and therefore end up being unhappy with God. Regarding using our talents well, St. Teresa of Avila said: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours.” Let us pray for one another for the grace of good relationship with God and fellow human beings. Hence, good attitude remains the key to success in life endeavors.
