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LUKE 19:12-26 Jesus said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ … But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
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Gospelthink: I tell the story to make you understand that you must use the talents that you have. Do I find that I am too lazy when it comes to spiritual matters?
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Dr. Bennet Omalu is a brilliant doctor pathologist who recognized a problem with National Football League football players who had committed suicide. The movie "Concussion" is his story. He did not know what the problem was because he was not aware of what football and the NFL was. But as he became more aware of the sport, he began to see the problem. He still did not understand why people would allow hits to an unprotected brain, but even more he could not understand the animosity toward him simply for pointing out the problem. He had a decision to make with regard to his future actions, and was ready to give up. But his wife Prema pointed out to him that he had to speak for the dead because no one else would. He had made a discovery that people had to be made aware of.
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Jesus
wanted his followers to use the gifts that they had been given.
In one of his stories, he told them that if they use the gifts
and talents that they had, they would receive a reward. Likewise
he said that those who did not use those gifts would be punished.
For Jesus, it was not enough for his followers to know that they
had been created by God with certain abilities. In his mind,
those followers had to use their gifts for the good of
humankind.
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PRAYER Good and gracious God, You call us to use the talents that You have given to us. May we have Your grace to make us more aware of how we can help ourselves and others. Be with us, we pray. |
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+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
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©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
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