First Reading: Rev 4:1-11; Psalm: 150. R. v. Rev 4:8b; Gospel: Lk 19:11-28

HEAVENLY INVESTMENT

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The parable of today’s gospel presents to us the simple way to acquire insurmountable wealth in heaven. It suggests that the more we invest, the more we have. We cannot cling to what we have and expect something in return. It is what we put in that we receive. It is in letting go that we gain. In the sight of the world, amassing more and more wealth makes one richer. But in the sight of God, giving what we have or letting go makes one richer.

Our gifts, talents, and possessions are meant to be invested in the lives of others to better their condition. In the parable of today’s gospel, the crime of the third servant was that he did nothing with what was given to him. He kept the talent to himself unlike the other servants who invested their talents. If we do nothing with the material gifts we have received from God; we will not only lose them here on earth but shall also lose them in the life to come. How much have we invested in the lives of people?

All that we have are just a test of how well we can use them. They are gifts from God that God leaves us to manage by our own discretion. We should therefore be careful about the choices we make knowing that if we managed well that which is not our own, we shall be entrusted with the greater reward in heaven. We should not be idle, selfish and indifferent with life and the potentials within our reach. These gifts are not just by accident. They are capital investments of which we shall account for before God.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, we pray for the disposition to always seek the things that will bring us eternal reward. Amen.