Jesus said, “It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called to his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.”

Daughtry's song "What About Now" and especially the accompanying official music video is one of the strongest commentaries on the poverty of our world produced by the music industry. The video shows scene after scene of people doing something on behalf of humankind, showing love in action. The song can be interpreted to be a statement from God to do something about the world we live in.

Jesus told the story of the talents to bring home the idea that each of us has a certain amount of ability depending on the circumstances in which we grow, and we have to use those abilities well. A talent was an amount of money of varying value depending on its metal (gold, silver or copper). In Jesus’ story as recalled by the evangelist Matthew, it is money that is given to each of the three, money that was given at random, depending on how the master was moved to give it. The moral of the story is that we are all given "talents--circumstances" with which to work. We have these abilities, these parents, these friends, and are in this place, at this time, with this environment, with these limitations, with this group of people who have specific opinions and challenges. We cannot just hide: whether we like it or not, we are here right now.

Daughtry's song "What About Now" may be a love song in which the man in the relationship is begging another to stay with him. The official music video takes the song to a different level, however, making it indeed a love song, but a love song that is a plea from God to act with love right now to cure the poverty and sickness of our complicated world. "What about now," they sing, "what if you're making me all that I was meant to be? Before it's too late, what about now?" We can show the love, we can do something to help our world, and it's time we did it now.

We live in unique and challenging times, and everyone of us is different from one another with different talents and circumstances. We are challenged on the national, international and personal levels. Presented with the possibility of necessary change every moment of every day, we are called to adapt to the situations of our lives. Sometimes we cannot and so we suffer and perhaps even die. But if we are to survive at all, we must accept the circumstances as they are presented to us, and change them for the better. And if we cannot change them completely, we must spend our energy to do the best that we can, using Christian principles to be our guide.                   

THOUGHT
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, many things happen to us because of the different circumstances in which we live. In many ways, we are the way we are because of what happens around us. Help us be able to adjust to the things that happen, and give us the grace to continue to live as your Son taught us. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America