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REFLECTION

“Who is God?” is the theme for our reflection. God is the creator of the world, the giver of life and the righteous judge, the beginning and the end. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus uses the parable of the bag of gold, popularly known as the parable of the talents to describe our relationship with God as a Master-Servant relationship. In other words, God is our Master and we are His servants or slaves. During Jesus’ time, a servant or slave was perceived as the property of his or her master. His master’s wish is his command. He must follow orders or face punishment for disobedience. Good servants or slaves are treated well by their masters if they remain loyal, honest and industrious. God, our Master has created us and given us different abilities and resources according to our strengths and capabilities. “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. (Matthew 25:14-15)

Beloved in the Lord, God our Master and righteous Judge, will return to demand accountability from us and we shall be required to give an account of how we have lived our lives on earth as stewards or servants who have been entrusted with the Master’s wealth or resources. Some people will live longer than others but regardless of the longevity of one’s life on earth, the most important requirement is that we must be productive servants of our Master, who is God the creator and the righteous Judge. When we have done our best as good stewards or servants, Jesus assures us that we shall receive the compliment and reward “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21) but if we fail to be productive and continue to give excuses, we shall be told “throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:30). It is important to note that unproductive servants will not only be punished but “even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 25:29). Dear friend, so long we have life, “never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). We are admonished to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37). This is the only way we will be prepared when God, our creator and righteous judge come to demand an account of our stewardship. As we come to the end of our Lent season, we are invited to reflect on our relationship with God and our lives as stewards or servants. Have we been productive in our service to the Lord? Have we loved our neighbours the way God has loved us? How are we using our time, money or wealth, talent or spiritual gifts and the manifold blessing God continues to bestow upon us to serve humanity, the Church and the nation? Will God find us worthy of His Kingdom when Jesus returns to judge the world? Have we served God faithfully, and are you ready to stand before Him to render an account of our lives if our journey on earth ends today? “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to be productive servants even as we wait for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Amen (2 Timothy 4:7-8)