Lk 19: 11-28
As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’
But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’
He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’”
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
God is Love
God has given each one of us unique and special talents and gifts. Are we using and investing in our gifts from God to grow deeper in relationship with him and to love our neighbors more deeply? Inactivity is a choice and can be a sin of omission where we fail to act or take a stand on behalf of our underserved sisters and brothers.
Jesus is asking us to do more and to invest more in our faith in him so that we may love more deeply in this life.
God is love.
—Dr. Sajit U. Kabadi is the Assistant Principal for Mission, Ministry, and Diversity at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado.
Prayer
Jesus, God of love,
Please give me the moral courage to act boldly, utilizing the gifts and talents you have blessed me with to seek more fully to do your will.
When doubt or fear prevents me from acting boldly, please, Holy Spirit, come upon me and breathe within me. Through your gifts of wisdom, understanding, piety, fear of the Lord, fortitude, knowledge, and counsel, help me to grow in faith, hope, and love in you and with all those around me.
Be with me always, I humbly pray. Amen.
—Sajit Kabadi