Don’t Waste What You Have

Reflection Date: November 15, 2026 | Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30

Children of God:
In this thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, let us start our reflection from the First Reading. 

In the Book of Proverbs, we encounter the beautiful description of a woman of character. It asserts that a woman of character is more precious than any jewel. 

This description came from a poem that celebrated the qualities of an ideal woman, particularly her wisdom, diligence, generosity, faithfulness, and fear of the Lord. 

In the ancient world, where a woman's contributions to family and society were often overlooked, Proverbs presented her as someone whose work, decisions, and wisdom brought lasting value to her household and community. 

This beautiful description connects with the gospel story of the talents, where a master entrusted his possessions to three servants before leaving on a journey. He distributed his wealth according to their individual abilities: five talents to one, two to another, and one to the last. 

The first two servants invested what they received and doubled their master's money, while the third servant buried his talent because he was afraid of losing it. 

When the master returned, he praised the first two servants for their faithfulness, but he reprimanded the third for allowing fear to prevent him from doing anything with what he received.

What are our inspirations for today?

First, our gifts become blessings when we use them to make a difference in the lives of others.

In the gospel story, the first two servants recognized that their master's money carried a responsibility. They did not simply keep what they received or wait for their master to return. They worked with their resources and produced something more. 

Their master praised them with the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). 

Their faithfulness was demonstrated through their willingness to take responsibility and make good use of what was entrusted to them.

Sometimes, we underestimate what we possess because we compare ourselves with other people. We look at someone who speaks better, earns more, achieves more, or receives greater recognition, and we begin to think that our own contributions are insignificant. 

But God does not ask us to become somebody else. We must therefore stop measuring our worth by comparing our achievements with those of others. 

What matters is how faithfully we use our abilities, whatever their size or appearance. God gives us gifts with the expectation that we put them to good use.

Our gifts become blessings when we use them to make a difference in the lives of others.

Second, fear becomes a problem when it prevents us from using the opportunities God gives us.

The third servant offered a revealing explanation for his behavior. He buried his master's money because he was afraid. Instead of taking a risk and trying to make something out of what he received, he chose the safest option: doing absolutely nothing. 

His master reprimanded him because he wasted an opportunity that was entrusted to his care. The servant's problem was not that he received less than the others; his problem was that he allowed himself to be swallowed by fear.

How many opportunities do we allow to pass because we are afraid of making mistakes? Some people refuse to pursue their dreams because they fear failure. Others hesitate to accept responsibilities because they think they are not capable enough. There are people who want to apologize but fear rejection, those who want to help but fear being misunderstood, and those who want to begin something good but keep waiting for the perfect moment. 

Sometimes, the greatest obstacle to our growth is the fear we carry within ourselves.

Jesus reminds us that we are accountable for the gifts entrusted to us. We cannot always control the opportunities that come our way, but we can decide how we respond to them. 

Fear becomes a problem when it prevents us from using the opportunities God gives us.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: What gifts, abilities, and opportunities do I possess that I can share with others?

Am I allowing comparison, insecurity, or fear of failure to prevent me from fulfilling my responsibilities? If God asks me today how I used everything entrusted to my care, what kind of answer can I honestly give?

Children of God:
Each of us receives something valuable that can enrich the lives of others. We do not need to possess extraordinary abilities to accomplish something extraordinary in the eyes of God. 

What matters is our willingness to use our gifts with generosity, courage, and responsibility. May we never allow fear, laziness, or insecurity to bury the blessings that God entrusts to us.