Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Prov 3:27-34; Lk 8:16-18
Today’s passage from proverbs reveals the clearest and most powerful manifestations of a heart of wisdom. It reminds us of the need to maintain relationships with our neighbors with good motives. We need to be considerate to the people around us.
We need to display openness in dispersing the good to those who knock at our door. The Gospel of the day reminds us that no one has everything, but everyone has something, that everyone in the world possesses God-given gifts, talents, and abilities.
These talents and abilities differ from person to person, place to place, and country to country. Among these, a few appear explicitly and spontaneously, at the same time, there are also a
few which remain as hidden gifts. The gospel focuses primarily on the set of God-given gifts which are not in use, referring to the uselessness of light that is placed under a bowl.
This comparison strikes directly at the God-given gifts which we keep hidden in different ways in our lives without allowing them to appear, develop and produce the fruits and benefits of various kinds for God through helping our fellow human beings and for one’s self. It’s an obligation for each of us to inquire into ourselves to find out our hidden talents and work on them to multiply them.
We express it by using our talents with total commitment to God’s mission, constant prayerful support for his people, sharing our faith, and partaking in all the sufferings of the people. These acts will encourage us to see the light of God shine in us and will enable us to bring his people nearer to his kingdom. If not, as Jesus says, even the gifts which we claim to have will be taken away. Besides finding our talents we should also light a spark in the lives of others to find their hidden talents to use for spreading the good news.