Twenty-two years after graduating from high school in 1998, our batch got reconnected through Facebook. We began meeting in small groups and conversing through a chat box while planning our class reunion.
Everyone was filled with so much joy and excitement, especially upon knowing what each of us has become.
Most of us are professionals already. Some put up their own businesses in the Philippines and in Canada. Others have good jobs here in the U.S. and in the Middle East and lived there with their families. Others got employed in different companies in the Philippines. Some did not pursue a college education and settled in jobs they could handle. Many are practicing their Catholic faith. Others did not. Many had good families, while some were wanting in this aspect. Some looked much younger than our age.
Result of Choices
In one of our group sharing events, we realized that what we have become is the result of the choices we made in life. While our Lord—the Giver of all we have—has not yet returned to settle accounts with us, we still have the chance to make the best of all He has entrusted to us.
Like in today’s parable of the talents, God is more interested in what you can become. Focus on your own opportunities, use even your limitations and lacking to your advantage; trade with your own unique talents – make the best of your unique situation.
Strive to be Better
If you notice in the Gospel, the one who got two talents did not ask for more simply because another got five. He traded with his and produced four while the other produced ten. Your two talents can never produce ten. God will not judge you for failing to produce ten. He knows four is your capacity. You are unique, you are different, your entire life is itself an opportunity; use it and make the best of it. Stop competing with others. Compete with your own self by striving to be better than what you were yesterday.
Finally, the one who has only one talent is like most of us who are so envious of others that we fail to look inwards and realize our own potential. We bury our talents by continuous complaints and failure to give thanks and seize the opportunities available to us. Stop blaming God, stop asking “why me?,” rather take your one talent today and start working!
And in the end, we pray to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Make me a responsible steward of Your manyfold gifts, O Lord.
