a gospel meditation - say what?

One of the things we talked about in bible study recently was the parable of the talents. In this parable, the master gives three men each different amounts of talents, according to each's ability, for safe keeping.   When he comes back, the two with the most talents have invested them and gotten back more in returen. The one with the least buried his and has the same amount. The master is happy with the first two men and angry at the third man.

I liken this parable to the quote "We are all called to be saints." Now I think that like many great quotes, this one is used much too often. It is probably used so often because it speaks to many hearts. It reminds gently that in each situation we are going though, we must choose the saintly road.

I think it goes wonderfully with this gospel because it also shows how each of us is given our "talents" according to our abilities. While each of us are called to be a saint, that sainthood is different for every single person out there. Some people may be called to motherhood, to discipling their children to the Lord. Others may be called to move to a different country and give their love to those who have no one.    And yet another person may be called to be an amazing boss to a huge company.

Our society has a weird way of judging these accomplishments. We put a golden halo on the one who moves away to a foreign country to live the missionary life, and say that the stay at home mom has it easy. We say the man at the top of that company has accomplished the american dream. But, if all of these people are doing the Lord's will, then are they not all living out the sainthood they have been called to? No matter how big or small the things God calls you to are in the eyes of society, if they are His will,  they are huge. What if the missionary is not using his full abilities to serve the Lord, while the mom is. What is she is using every last ounce of energy she has to raise her children up in the Lord. Who is living up to the sainthood God has called them to?

In his parable, Jesus goes on to say that, "Everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

It sounds rather harsh doesn't it? But, after reading it and contemplating it for awhile, I really think that it is fair. God wants for each of us to be a saint. To those who use all the graces the Lord has given them,  to live to their full saintly potential, only more graces can be given. Through living out a life dedicated to Christ, one can only become closer to Him. But, for those who have not used the talents God has given them, even if they are smaller than other peoples in the eyes of society, nothing more can be given. After this life, in judgement, what little they has will be taken away.

I think this might be one of my favorite gospels.