At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds; and said to them, Trade till I come. But his citizens hated him; and they sent an embassage after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass that he returned, having received the kingdom; and he commanded his servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds: and he said to him, Well done, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a little, thou shalt have power over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds: and he said to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and thou reapest that which thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy own mouth I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knowest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow: and why then didst thou not give my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have exacted it with usury? And he said to them that stood by, Take the pound away from him, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. And they said to Him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. But I say to you, that to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound; and from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken from him. (Luke 19: 12-26)

In today’s Gospel passage, we read the parable spoken by our Lord to His disciples. This parable, often referred to as the Parable of the Talents, provides us with profound lessons about our responsibilities, stewardship, and the account we must one day render before God.

In this parable, a nobleman sets forth on a distant voyage, his purpose being to attain a kingdom for himself and subsequently return. Prior to his departure, he entrusts ten of his servants with ten pounds each, instructing them to engage in trade during his absence. This nobleman signifies our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. His departure into the “far country” represents His ascension into Heaven after His earthly ministry, and His return refers to His glorious Second Coming.

This parable illustrates the spiritual endowments, talents, and resources God bestows upon each one of us. The pounds symbolize these divine gifts, granted to us to be used wisely and productively in the service of God and our fellow men. The nobleman’s directive to “trade till I come” echoes the call of Christ for us to actively engage in the work of the Kingdom during our sojourn on Earth.
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“Many times did he deliver them. But they provoked him with their counsel: and they were brought low by their iniquities. And he saw when they were in tribulation: and he heard their prayer. And he was mindful of his covenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. And he gave them unto mercies, in the sight of all those that had made them captives. Save us, O Lord, our God: and gather us from among nations: That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and may glory in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say: So be it, so be it.” (Psalm 105:43-48, Douay-Rheims)

In our faith, God’s favour is associated with His mercy and grace. These verses reflect the fact that God’s mercy is a central aspect of His nature.

It is our belief that God is infinitely loving and compassionate, always ready to extend His grace to those who seek Him with sincere hearts. When someone prays this Psalm, they are acknowledging their need for God’s mercy and expressing trust in His willingness to help and bless them.
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“I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart. Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.” (Psalm 84:9-10, Douay-Rheims)

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, amidst the noise and chaos of the world, it is essential for us to pause and listen attentively to the voice of our Lord. The psalmist reminds us that God speaks peace to His people and to all those whose hearts are turned towards Him. In the stillness of our hearts, we can open ourselves to hear the gentle whisper of God. Just as Elijah encountered God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire but in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13), so too can we discern the voice of the Lord when we seek Him with a receptive heart. Through prayer, meditation, and Scripture, we create a space where God’s peace can permeate our souls and guide our steps.
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“The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.” Our responsorial Psalm brings us into the presence of our majestic and sovereign God, calling us to contemplate His authority and dominion over all creation. The psalmist invites us to lift our hearts in praise and adoration to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Our God reigns supreme over all the earth. His power and glory know no bounds, and His majesty is beyond compare.

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainties, we find comfort in knowing that God is in control. He rules over the vastness of the cosmos, yet He is intimately aware of each one of us, knowing us by name and caring for us with a love beyond measure. This same King who governs the heavens desires to dwell within our hearts, guiding our steps and illuminating our path with His light.
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“The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food at the right time.” (Psalm 145:15, New Catholic Bible)

In Psalm 145:14-21, we encounter an immense expression of God’s divine providence and compassion, reflecting the Catholic understanding of our loving and merciful Creator. We firmly believe in the Lord’s unwavering support for His children, especially those who stumble in their journey of faith. God tenderly lifts up the bowed down, providing strength and solace to those who turn to Him in their weakness.
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From the reading of Wisdom 12:13,16-19, we are reminded of the nature of our God, the one true God who cares for all of creation. These verses reveal to us the attributes of God that should shape our understanding of His divine character. The passage begins by referring to the exclusive care and authority of God. “For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all, that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly.” It is crucial for us to acknowledge that God alone has supreme authority over all things. He is the one who lovingly tends to every aspect of creation. Moreover, His judgments are always just and righteous. We find solace in knowing that God, who knows all things, will never condemn unjustly. His perfect justice is rooted in His infinite wisdom.

We can see the inseparable link between God’s might and justice. God’s might does not solely manifest as a demonstration of power but as a profound embodiment of justice. His dominion over all things allows Him to govern with both leniency and mercy. He is compassionate towards us, providing us with opportunities for repentance and redemption. Let us never forget that the Father’s leniency is not a sign of weakness but a testament to His divine mercy.
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“And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:8)

This Gospel passage presents us with the beautiful parable of the seed that falls on good ground. In this parable, Jesus speaks to us about the reality of God’s Word and its power to transform our lives. He invites us to reflect upon the disposition of our hearts as we receive His Word, for it is the fertile ground of our souls that determines the fruitfulness of our lives.

Just as a farmer sows seeds in various types of soil, our Lord sows the seeds of His Word in the soil of our hearts. The outcome, however, depends on the condition of the soil. The seed that falls on good ground represents the heart that is open, receptive, and ready to receive God’s Word with faith and obedience. What does it mean to have good soil in the context of our spiritual lives? Good soil is characterised by humility, docility, and a sincere desire for conversion. It is a heart that is free from the entanglements of worldly distractions and the allure of sin. It is a heart that longs for intimacy with God and is willing to surrender to His will.
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