How do I respond to the gifts God has given me?  Do I squander them or use them for my own benefit alone, or do I offer them for the service of God, my family, and my neighbor?  These are the questions that the Parable of the Talents brings before our minds this morning.  In this parable, we see the original use of the word “talent:” a unit of currency worth about $1000 in today’s economics.  Of course, in modern parlance, the word “talent” comes to describe any of the various abilities, skills, and personality traits that make up an individual: those unique gifts given to us by God for the enrichment of our own life and for the service of our brothers and sisters.  And this modern use of the term “talent” actually points to exactly what the Lord wants us to see in this parable.  Everything we have is a gift from God.  That’s not just a religious catch-phrase.  It’s actually true.  Every thing we have is a gift from God.  Right down to our very existence, the fact that we continue to draw breath, all the joy and love that comes to us through our family and friends, and particularly we consider today, those personal resources God has given us for our own happiness and for the enrichment of others: all is gift from God.  Christ promises that those who use these gifts wisely and responsibly, will enjoy the fullness of life.  Those who selfishly horde their gifts though, who bury away their talents in fear or in isolation, cannot live up to the wonderful destiny to which God is calling them. 

St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Thessalonians that we do not know the day or the hour when Christ will return.  So we can’t allow ourselves to fall into laziness or self-service.  That old truism “You only live once” shouldn’t be an excuse to live a reckless or mediocre life.  Quite the contrary: “you only live once,” so we better make it count.  Our time on this earth is a gift, a gift given to us so that we can draw closer to God and prepare ourselves to spend eternity with him.  In this time of the year, when we’re drawing close to the end of the year and to a new Advent, the readings and prayers of Mass remind us again and again of our true destiny, which is in heaven.  When we say in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation”, we’re asking God to help us keep watch, to be vigilant and eager to serve God in all we do.  Nothing in our life is insignificant or trivial.  And he wants us to take advantage of all the opportunities that we have, big or small.  That’s why he says in the gospel, “Since you were faithful in small matters, come, share your master’s joy.”  The peace of God comes to us through our faithfulness in the small works and the little opportunities to do good that Christ places in our lives.  It’s the kind of service exemplified by the figure of the faithful wife in today’s first reading from the Book of Proverbs. 

This standard of excellence may seem daunting.  But God gives us the grace to accomplish the great things he has planned for us.  Holiness is not just reserved for those of us who pray for a living.  You are called to deep holiness as well.  Through your everyday life.  Through developing your professional skills, excelling in your career, making sacrifices for your family day in and day out, developing good holy friendships, enjoying healthy recreation.  These are those little things that can become the context of our salvation.  If you can think about it that way, two amazing things happen: First, every moment of your life is sanctified: even what seems like something totally mundane and secular becomes holy: writing a report for your boss, throwing the football with your son, enjoying a meal at home: these can be the things of your salvation.  Second, you will become the light of the world.  If you do everything in love, in a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for the many talents he has given you, with a great zeal to serve those in your midst, especially your family and friends, you will show forth God’s glory.  You will fulfill the talents your master has given you.  We ask God for the grace to spend our selves in his service, in true appreciation of all the gifts he has given us: we pray that we will live the life God asks us to live, faithfully and with great joy.  May help us to receive the great gift of his grace, to accept and to use to the full all the talents he has showered upon us.