Jesus told his disciples this parable:

“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.’”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

An African proverb says, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending a night with a mosquito.” This proverb reminds us that no gift is too small and no person is insignificant in God’s eyes. Not all of us possess extraordinary intelligence, wealth, leadership abilities, or influence. Yet each of us has something valuable to offer, such as a kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, compassion, or the courage to stand up for what is right.  

As followers of Christ, we must ask ourselves: Am I using my talents to serve others, or am I hiding them out of fear, selfishness, or apathy?

Saint Ignatius of Loyola reminds us that all that we have is a gift from God and should be used for God’s greater glory.

Dear friends, at the end of our lives, God will not ask us how much we possessed. He will ask how faithfully we used what he entrusted to us.

May we live in such a way that one day we hear the Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come share in your Master's joy." Amen.  

—Fr. Endashaw Debrework, SJ, is a Jesuit from the Eastern Africa Province currently based in Chicago, raising money for Hekima University, the first Jesuit university in Eastern Africa.

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

—Suscipe prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola