After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who had received five talents came with another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see, I have gained five more.‘ The master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.‘
     Then the one who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; with them I have gained two more.‘ The master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.‘
      Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I know that you are a hard man. You reap what you have not sown, and gather what you have not scattered. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours!‘ But his master replied, ‘Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered. You should have deposited my money in the bank, and given it back to me with interest on my return.
      Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.‘

REFLECTION:
Read: The Book of Proverbs highlights the significance of character and wisdom over and above external beauty and charm. The parable of the talents reveals how a right attitude of the heart gets rewarded by the Lord. Those with the soundness of soul do not need to fear the advent of the Day of the Lord and His judgement.
Reflect: One might wonder about the justice of unequal distribution of the talent among the servants. However, it is not what one receives that counts, but what one does with what he/she has received. The Master‘s delight and offer of reward are the same towards the servants who doubled their talents. God looks not at the quantity of our offerings, but their quality as well as the attitude with which we offer.
Pray: Pray for the right attitude of the heart that makes us pleasing to the Lord.
Act: List out three talents God has bestowed on you. Plan out how well you can double them at the service of God and His people.