Faith Daily | 27 August 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p574

Creator God,

you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless

until they find their rest in you:

teach us to offer ourselves to your service,

that here we may have your peace,

and in the world to come may see you face to face;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 25: 14-30

14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then 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.’ 21His 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.’ 22And 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.’ 23His 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.’ 24Then 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; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But 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? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For 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. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Alan Dann

On occasions, I have had the responsibility of looking after the accumulated wealth of a number of people. Some of them have been clients, some of them have been family and some have been friends. In every case I have been deeply aware of the responsibility and trust that has been placed in me and the reliance that each have placed on my judgement. Whilst I am by nature, risk averse, at no time did I suggest “oh, just dig a whole and bury it – it will be safe there”.

In the parable of the talents, Christ refers to the trust that the Master (God) places on us (the servants) to faithfully use heavenly gifts to the glory of God and in furtherance of God’s purpose for us.

We are told that, over time, two of the servants doubled their master’s money whilst the third chose the ultra-cautious path of just putting it in a safe place. He did not even place it at interest in the money market of the time!

Are we here for our time on earth to,

• Use God given gifts in the service of God

• Take risks for the sake of the kingdom of God

• Apply both personal abilities as well as money to both the care and advancement of God’s kingdom

As the parable suggests, failure to do so will result in negative judgement.

FINAL PRAYER Robin Lamont, Godspell, 1971

Day by day Day by day Oh, Dear Lord Three things I pray To see thee more clearly Love thee more dearly Follow thee more nearly Day by day

Amen