The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
The parable in Sunday's reading is a bit like life – we're all given different talents and abilities, and it's up to us how we use them. In this Gospel reading, the master entrusts his servants with talents, which were a form of currency at the time, and they were expected to make the most of what they were given.
Now, imagine these are our talents; the unique skills and gifts each of us possesses. Some of us might feel like we've been given five talents –charisma, intelligence, artistic talents, or a strong work ethic. Others might feel like it's not immediately obvious what their strengths are.
In my own life, I often found myself wondering what my "talents" were. Thinking back to high school, I wasn't a superstar in academics or sports, and I didn't have any exceptional artistic abilities. I was just an average kid trying to find my way. It was easy to compare myself to others and feel like I had been short handed.
But as time went on, I discovered that my talent was in connecting with people. I had a knack for making friends, being a good listener, and offering support to those in need. This was my "one talent." I joined my local youth group, began serving in my local parish ministries, and loved those around me the best way I knew how.
Not by being the star athlete.
Not by being the star student.
Not by being the star creative genius.
But by loving those around me, in my own way, one smile and listening ear at a time, it grew into something beautiful. It was my way of investing my one “talent” and trusting that God would multiply it into something greater.
When I look back, I realize that the story of the servant with one talent speaks to me personally. I shouldn’t be envious of those with five talents and bury mine. We are all accountable for what we do with what we've been given. If I had buried my one talent out of fear or insecurity, I would have missed the chance to share in the joy of loving others and creating something meaningful.
The lesson here is clear: it's not about the quantity of talents you have, but how you use them. Whether it's your ability to make people smile, your knack for organizing, your gift for teaching, or your passion for a specific cause – they all matter. Don't underestimate the gift of even one talent, because it can have a ripple effect.
Don't wait for more talents or compare yourself endlessly to others. Instead, discover your unique gifts, invest them wisely, and share them with the world. It might start with just one talent, but who knows what it can grow into overtime? The true measure of success isn't in having the most talents but in using them to make a positive impact in the lives of others. That's how we can truly share in the joy of God and He will say to us– “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Chenele Shaw is a young adult trying to live her life for Christ, frequent her therapist, and eat all the cheese! She is the co-founder of the Before Gethsemane Initiative and host of the Ave Spotlight.