SEPT 3 & 4: 16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

On this Sunday the Gospel is Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents. The meaning of this parable extends beyond money investments. God gave each each of us a variety of gifts, and expects us to use those gifts wisely and in the service of God. It’s not acceptable to put our gifts on a shelf and ignore them. Also, like the 3 servants, we are not given the same gifts and, therefore, God expects us to return the gifts to the degree we use them.  The servant with 1 talent was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.