Talent is lent

The story is told about a señora who asked her maid:  “Did you clean the surface of the keyboard of my computer as I ordered you to?”

“Yes ma’am, I did. Not only that, it was a little difficult, but I also rearranged the keys of the keyboard alphabetically!” was the maid’s eager response.

* * *

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 25, 14-30) Jesus tells us about the Parable of the Talents. God has given each one of us talents. We are to discover, develop and put in good use whatever talents we have received. Our talents must not be hidden or put to waste, but must be maximized and shared. There will be a final accounting of our God-given talents at the end of our lives.

* * *

Are some people more gifted than others? Yes. Some have received more natural endowments than the rest of us. By worldly standards, this may sound unfair, but everything evens up at the final accounting when each one of us will be judged not according to the quantity but according to the development and use of our talents. Yes, to whom much is given, much is also required.

* * *

When I was a first-year high-school seminarian in Christ the King Seminary, circa 1966, all 44 of us in our class wanted to learn how to play the guitar. All of us had the ability, the time and the means to do so. Some of us learned, and some of us did not.  Some of us learned faster and with ease, while some of us, including myself, had to put in lots of hours and hard work. The bottom line is that there is no shortage of talents. There can only be shortage of willingness and diligence.

* * *

In our recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, our group was so inspired by Irwin, a young man who walked with crutches, and joined us in all the pilgrimage sites we went to. What an inspiring sight to see him descend the cave of the Nativity, climb up the Mount of the Beatitudes, or do the Stations of the Cross at the Via Dolorosa. Our hearts were clapping for this brave and willing young man who did not let his handicap prevent him from moving on.

* * *

Equally heartwarming was the support of his parents, Bansan and Isabel, and his wife Rina. They were there not only to help but also to challenge Irwin. Yes, blessed are they who have talents, but blessed too are they who help others discover and use their talents.

* * *

On a personal note, I remember Papa telling me in my younger days, “You will write someday, Jerry.” He pointed out to me a potential, and a possibility, and encouraged me to make it a reality. My writing talent is simple and ordinary from the literary or journalistic point of view, but it is a result of hard work, a labor of love, a service for others, and all for the glory of God.

* * *

The proper use of any gift, any talent, any charism is not for oneself, but for others and for the glory of God. We fail when we hide our talents. We fail too when we abuse our talents. At the end of our lives, may we have little or no regrets that we did not use or did not share enough of our talents and charisms, and also our resources.

* * *

There are people who are very talented in making money, and are also very diligent at it. However, that’s only half of the story. They too must be good and generous in sharing the money they earn. Remember, we must use our money for our salvation, not for our condemnation.

* * *

There is no substitute for hard work. The truth of the matter is that successful people become so not so much because of talent, but because of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. As in the parable of the monkey and the turtle, many of us are like the turtle who make progress by sticking out our necks, and taking one step at a time.

* * *

By the way, there will always be critics and self-proclaimed analysts who will have something to say about our talents. Remember that in every game, the players who perform are quiet, while the spectators make noise. Let us not be distracted, for beyond performance is commitment, beyond applause is dedication.

* * *

I would like to thank Mike Socco, Marilu and Rolly Sison, and Ester Magleo for responding to the appeal of Bang Yumul to make Christmas happier for her daycare youngsters. Please use your talent called “sharing” and “generosity” especially this Christmas. It takes so little to make so many happy. Indeed, a little love goes literally a long, long way.

* * *

Our talents are lent to us. Let us not hide nor keep them. Rather, let us generously share and lend them.

* * *

Think about this: “I cannot do everything, but I can do something; what I can do, I ought to do; and with the grace of God, I will do it.” (Hellen Keller)

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, thank you for the talents You have given me. Help me to use them for others and for Your glory. Amen.