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This Sunday (and last Sunday as well), Jesus really seems to be hitting it home that we need to be stepping up our game (Matthew 25:14-30). It seems pretty clear that having faith isn’t enough.
Last week, the lamps of the virgins represented their Christian faith; the oil was their good works. Those without oil didn’t make it.
This week, those who put the talents given to them to spread the faith and bring others to the Christian faith are rewarded; those who hide their talents and don’t bring anyone to the faith (or don’t even try), don’t make it.
Where don’t they make it? Heaven.
Sounds harsh, but God gives us ample opportunity and everything we need to spread the faith. The worker with the one talent didn’t do anything with his – maybe because he was upset that he only got one, or because he was just lazy, or didn’t think it mattered whether he increased it or not. Whatever the excuse, God’s not buying it.
Many of our Protestant brothers and sisters will say that faith is all that’s necessary; works isn’t required for salvation. And that’s true – partially. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation – in thinking that, we would be saying that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t enough (don’t say that). But if our response to Jesus’ sacrifice is just saying, “I believe that Jesus died for my sins” yet we ignore all the things He told us to do pre- and post-sacrifice, our words are emptier than His tomb on Easter Sunday.
So, let’s take His words seriously. All of us – because we an all step up our game a little more.
For those who are part of a ministry at a parish and share openly your faith with those outside the church walls – we need more like you! How can you invite someone who isn’t involved at all to start helping out?For those who are part of a ministry but are unwilling to talk about Jesus outside of parish life, be open to it. You don’t need to shove it down anyone’s throat, but how is God calling you to use the talents He gave you to share it?
For those who don’t serve in a ministry or talk about it outside of a parish, start doing at least one of them.
For those who don’t come to Mass, get to Mass. Seriously, don’t be lazy like the worker – put it on your calendar and set a reminder if you have to. What’s stopping you?
For everyone else (and those already listed), learn more. If there’s something you don’t understand about the Catholic Church or something you disagree with, find out the actual answers to them (chances are what you disagree with is based on a misconception). If you don’t know where to look for the answers, start with me. I’ll be able to point you to something that can give you answers (I might even be able to answer it, but don’t bet on it).
Don’t let your talent go to waste – otherwise, like America’s Got Talent (which has people come from outside America on the show) – God will look elsewhere to find people willing to share their talent.
