HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. MONICA
THEME: To whom much is given, much is expected.
BY: Fr Emmanuel Muodebelu C.S.Sp
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY AUGUST 27 2022
Making Something out of Little:1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 25:14-30.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus uses the parable of the master who handed his servants some talents while he was on journey to remind us that each of us will give an account of his or het life at the end of time. The parable simply tells us that ” to whom much is given, much is expected. Secondly, even those who think that they do not have The, they will account for the little they have. The servant who received five talents gave another five in return. The one who received two talents made an extra gain of two. The one who received one went and buried it believing that it is nothing.
Furthermore, Jesus made it clear that each servant will give the account of his life when the master arrives. Off course, the account goes with a reward. The master is God. The return of the master means at the end of this present life. The servants represent us, the children of God. The time of accounting is the judgement period. Our talents are the gift that God gives to us. What we make of our talents is our gift back to God.
On another note, it is unfortunate that there are children of God who never discover whom they are, let alone their talents until death. Some do not believe that they have anything to offer to the society. Many have fallen into depression because of such negative belief. Others lack self belief to the point of falling into taking alcohol and hard drugs. Many of these negative mindsets come as a result of comparing our life with that of others whom we thinkthat have more than us.
In the first reading, St Paul tells us to consider our call that; not many of us were wise according to the flesh, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. This implies that whatever we are comes from God, and God sustains us. Therefore, God gives us different talents and in return expects us to serve Him and the Church with our talents. St Monica whom the Church celebrates today was a woman of prayers. She converted her non-Christian husband into Christianity through prayers. Her son Augustine also embraced Christianity because of her prayers and perseverance. Therefore, each one of us is expected to imitate the faith of St Monica. Women who are passing difficulty through their husbands and children are also encouraged to look at St Monica as their model.
Child of God, whether we use our talents or not, God will surely demand our account of how we live our life. Therefore, let us use the gifts that God gives to us to embrace God and serve our neighbours. Either Jesus or nothing. Jesus is my all.