Loving through fear:
Sharing our gifts with the world

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Amber Robertson

As I began to read this week's gospel, I predicted the servant who buried the master's money would be praised for his cautious approach to his responsibility; however, I was greatly mistaken.

When the master returned to find the third servant had not increased his wealth, he was furious and threw him out into the darkness. After further reflection, it is evident that God is entrusting us with great fortunes and that we are to use these gifts to further the "wealth" of God in our homes, communities, and the world. Is it really that easy?

In verse 25 we find out the servant buried the money out of fear of losing it. Fear is such a strong emotion and can have great power over us. I know that I have withheld my gifts and talents for fear that they would not be accepted or that I may lose them in the process.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Nov. 13, 2005) Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 1 Thes 5:1-6 Mt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21

At what point is the risk of losing our talents out weighed by the potential gain brought about by investing our gifts in our homes, communities, and the world?

Perhaps the greatest and most widespread gift we have is love. God loves us in more ways than we can imagine and we are called to try and grasp that Love and share it with others. What an awesome responsibility!

As I reflect on times that I have truly shared God's love, I remember the intensity of the emotion and the over-abundant joy that came of sharing that gift. In sharing God's love I know that the love returned is worth so much more than my fear of rejection.

However, in my humanness I sometimes fall short of sharing God's love. I am too busy, too tired, too angry, or too afraid to move beyond my own inadequacies.

I forget that the love that I am to share is not from me, rather from our Gracious Lord who is forever compassionate and forever loving. I find that if I entrust my fears to the Lord, I am much more willing to risk losing my gifts as I know God will be there to comfort and support me.

	Reflection questions • Take a moment to reflect on how you have used or withheld your gifts over the past week. Why did you risk sharing your gifts? What stopped you from sharing your gifts? What emotions were tied to sharing or withholding your gifts?

We are so blessed to be able to share the love of God with the world and that we too benefit from the joy that is brought about by this love.

Let us be like the first servant, people who are willing to risk all of the talents entrusted to us for the joy of God.

May we always remember the compassion of our God who will love and support us even when our gifts are rejected.

Amber Robertson is a second year graduate student in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a co-sacristan for the 11:15 a.m. Mass and is part of the Grad/ YP leadership team at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

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