“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.”
Matthew 25:14
How do we respond to God’s grace? At the heart of this Gospel lies this message. We have three different servants, each responding differently to what has been entrusted to them. Two of them respond in a grateful and fruitful manner while the other buries it – in a sense, keeping the talent to himself; two of them got out a multiply the talents while the other hides it afraid of what would happen if he multiplied it, gives it away, losing it, or is just simply lazy and does nothing with it. The same can be said in our life of faith – how do we respond to the free gift of faith and the grace that God not just bestows on us but entrusts on us? Many times, we take this gift for granted or sit on it. It’s like a book that we buy because it may have peaked our interest or because everyone else has read it, and we just place it on a shelf and let sit there, collecting dust. We may claim to have it, but we haven’t done anything with it; we’re not even familiar with the content or experienced the book ourselves – maybe relying simply on what others have said about the book or the experience of others with the book. We simply can’t live faith and the grace in this manner. We’re called to open our faith, put it to use and experience it; we’re to let it live and breathe through us. We’ve been entrusted with the light of Christ – our faith – now, we’re to reveal its value not by burying it like the lazy servant but exposing it and sharing it with others. In this way, others too may come to know God and receive what He freely gives to all.
Finally, I want to again express my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this year’s International Food Festival a success – especially this year’s Festival Coordinator Angelica Sandiego Salgado. I greatly appreciate everyone’s dedication not only to the festival but to the parish community – helping to truly create a family environment where all are welcome. Thank you again for an amazing evening of fun and fellowship.
Congratulations as well to those who received the Sacrament of Conformation last weekend from Bishop Noonan, may you continue to grow in faith and be inspired by the gifts of the Spirit as you journey in life. May you be like the servants who multiplied the talents to always give glory to our Lord in the way that you live your faith.
In Christ
Fr Robert Marquez
Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Community