Does God have favorites?
SOMEBODY quipped: “In this world there are brilliant minds, the others average minds, and the others never mind!”
*** When I studied in the SVD theological seminary in Tagaytay, we had an exceptionally bright seminarian. In class while the professor was lecturing, he would make sketches on his notebook, seemingly unmindful of what the mentor was doing.
But when examinations came, he would get a perfect or near perfect score! Through college, he graduated with highest honors.
*** By the way, I was also a dean’s lister. As a matter of fact, I graduated valedictorian because from my original class of seven, I was the only one who made it to the priesthood!
*** We do have people with extraordinary talents and gifts like our very own pound-for-pound king in boxing, winner of seven championship belts, Manny Pacquiao. Filipina beauties have won in international competitions, the latest being whom is Miss International Bianca Guidotti.
We might be tempted to ask, “Why am I not blessed with intelligence, good looks, a musical ear, or a sports skill?” Is God playing favoritism?
*** The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25, 1430) in this 33rd Sunday gospel gives us a glimpse of the answer. It tells us that God does give different gifts to everyone. One receives five talents, another two, and another one. Just why there is INEQUALITY of talents is a mystery. But wouldn’t it be a boring world if everybody were geniuses and mega stars? Or if all were beauty queens and nobody around would admire and clap their hands?
*** Despite the inequality, everybody gets sufficient qualities to work with. It is not how many one has that matters, but HOW one uses his gifts.
The man in the parable who received one talent was not condemned because he had only one. He was condemned because, by burying it in the ground, he failed to use it.
*** Like that man who received only one talent, one may be tempted to say, “I have only one talent; I can do so little with it. It is not worthwhile trying for the little contribution I can make.”
*** Such a defeatist attitude should not be entertained since external success in God’s eyes depends not on the extraordinary feats and qualities but on the spirit behind the effort. A popular movie star or highly placed official is just as successful as a lowly janitor or a plodding missionary in the backwoods given the right spiritual motivation.
*** Christ’s Parable of the Talents also teaches us about ACCOUNTABILITY. We shall be made to render an ac- count of our gifts, whether they be a material wealth, a skill like singing, or a sports talent.
*** Did you use not only to support your family but also to alleviate the sufferings of the less fortunate? Worse, are you using your talent to enrich yourself through dubious means?
Give thanks to God for your talents but don’t forget to share the fruits with the less privileged.
The Lord said: “To whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12,48).
*** FAMILY TV MASS – aired on GMA 7 (cable 12) at 6-7 a.m. every Sunday and also on international GMA Pinoy TV. Sponsor: CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY, Makati Campus. Mass celebrant: Fr. Jun Balay, SVD.
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