The sermon for this Sunday comes from the Gospel of Matthew 25: 14-30, the Parable of the Talents. This is the Gospel for the 16th Sunday of Matthew because when Easter is late, the 16th and 17th Sunday of Matthew follows the 15th Sunday Of Luke, usually late January or early February.
This gospel lesson is trying to tell us about the relationship between the Master and His servants. The Master who leaves for a time and then returns is Christ. His servants are none other than His followers, the Christians. Thus the basic point is clear: while the Risen Christ reigns in heaven and the servant Christians are waiting for His return, they are not to be inactive, complacent and stagnant but rather eager to exercise the gifts, the talents, responsibilities and demands the Master has placed upon them.
Therefore, the gifts or talents bestowed upon us by Christ include all the spiritual gifts that He grants us through the Holy Spirit. Let us help one another with our talents for our neighbor’s benefit; for nothing is more pleasing to God and makes one His friend, as to live for the common benefit!
