Using our gifts

Sandra Jebb

Our Gospel story today tells us about a man entrusting a portion of his wealth to three of his employees when he goes on a journey. Two of the three employees invested their wealth well and received commendable returns. The third employee was so afraid that he hid his portion in the ground. When the man returned to settle his accounts with them, all were commended and rewarded except the employee who had hidden his one talent in the ground. He was labelled “wicked and lazy” and totally condemned.
This parable reminds us that true disciples are called to consider what has been given to us and to use all our resources and spiritual gifts to serve Christ between his two comings. This will necessarily involve taking some calculated risks out of our comfort zone to venture beyond the horizon for the Kingdom of God. Fear is the obstacle that caused the third employee to hide his portion of what had been given to him. How easily we can do that! As the community of Kairos we need to courageously put to good use what God has already given us. Please enjoy reflecting on this wonderful prayer attributed to Sir Francis Drake the Elizabethan naval Commander.

A Prayer by Francis Drake 1577
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves.
When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the Waters of Life;
Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery:
Where losing sight of land we shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes;
And to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.