MBS Contemporary Choir

he issue in the parable isn't how much we have, but that we put to the greatest
use what we have already been given. At stake is furthering the kingdom and finally
sharing eternally in the Master's joy. The surprise of the parable is not that the one
talent was taken away from the lazy servant but that it was given to one servant who
had the most. The one talent was given to the one who had the most because that
person had also done the most. The talents, then, are a metaphor not only for our
blessings but also for faithful discipleship. We are rewarded according to how well
we use what we have been given for furthering God's kingdom. There is no room for
either fear or laziness here. Too much is at stake!

At the recent ministerium I attended - Fr. Bob Thames was the Keynote Speaker. Father Thames said that we must stop making our decisions based on fear. Too often our decisions (even though we know we are correct) are based on fear: Fear of committment. Fear of ridicule. Fear of losing. etc.

Our decisions MUST be based on scripture and on our knowledge of what Christ wants for our lives. This knowledtge comes from a deep understanding of scripture. Fr. Thames further states that until we begin this process in our lives, our true conversion has not begun. For us as Christians our "great responsibilities" are to know and to be true to the talents given to us, thus being "Faithful Disciples" of His word. This also keeps the Kingdom of God present in our daily lives.

"Responsibility means to use our blessings to spread God's goodness as well as to appreciate now the joy of those blessings. Joy isn't something only in the future. It is a fruit of the Spirit we enjoy now."