Before we realize it, the special days of November and December are upon us. These special days are a gift given to us to share and enjoy with others. November gifts us with All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. December gifts us with Advent, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, The Nativity of Jesus at Christmas, and Holy Family Sunday. As we reflect upon these special days, we think about the people who have meant so much to us and continue to do so in our daily lives. Did you ever stop and think for a moment, “I wonder why I was born on a particular day in a particular year? I wonder why God placed me into a particular family with unique personalities and talents?” The Scriptures tell us that God has a purpose for doing all of this. And His purpose is to encourage us to share the gifts with each other that our families have given to us. For example, every one of my siblings along with myself are teachers in one way or another. How is that? Because we had parents who were wonderful teachers about life and helping our neighbor. So, we give thanks to God for these gifts by guiding those in need. This doesn’t mean that we all must do the same thing that others in our family do. It means that we have been blessed with the same spirit of giving. Jesus tells a parable in the Gospel about a Master who shares his talents with His workers and encourages them to go out and double the amount they receive in return. The first two men do that. However, the third man is afraid that he might not be able to double his talents, so he buries them instead. He is afraid of the Master. When the Master returns and asks for what this servant gained, the servant said nothing. He was afraid that if he took a chance to invest his gifts in life, he might be imperfect and draw his Master’s anger. So, he plays it safe; he buries his talents and thinks that the Master will be pleased. But the Master is disappointed and upset that this servant didn’t trust him nor trust himself. He was afraid of failing. My brothers and sisters, there is a lesson here for us. If we find that we have a talent (and we all do, because God has given them to us) and do not use it, God will be disappointed at us. Not true. There is an old expression about love that captures this: “Tis better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all!” So, this Advent take a chance on loving your neighbor - use your talents and gifts to show it - and you will be richly rewarded.    

~ Fr. John