Presence

     Is there anyone who reads today's Scripture passage who really thinks that this is all about money?  I once knew a Pastor who was quite a good fundraiser and wise with expenditures. On his retirement the parish community had a formidable complex of buildings with no mortgages and over a million dollars in the bank. 'Well done, good and trustworthy servant'. Sadly though, this passage is often used to justify the adage that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I think Jesus would find that abhorrent and a far cry from what He is calling us to do and how to live. 

         So if not money then what? Literally, is it what we call 'talents' today? Our gifts, our personal talents and abilities? And yes, our treasures too?  If we are to embrace our dual identities as material and spiritual beings, as children of God, then we are called embrace that Godly portion. We must emulate the Creator who loves us with reckless abandon and who spares nothing in the pursuit of our happiness. Are we willing to embrace our godliness and give of ourselves in such a rich manner without thought to who deserves it or who can pay back the best or most?

        One thing is for sure, no matter what your gifts are, don't hoard it, don't keep it to yourself. That poor guy with the one 'talent' he buried, well it didn't go well for him. The bottom line is that we should all be giving, all be sharing the gift that we are with others. That includes money, personal abilities or 'talents' and even our presence. We often forget the value of our presence.  Give abundantly of all we are graced with, including ourselves.

 Matthew 25:14-30

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”