The gospel for Saturday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time is taken from Matthew 25th, chapter 14 30th verse. Jesus told his disciples this. A man was going on a journey, called in his servants, and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents to another two, and a third one to each according to his ability. Then he went away immediately. The one who received five talents went out and traded with them and made another five.

Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.

His master said to him, well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you are faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more. His master said to him, well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you are faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter. So out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back. His master said to him in reply, you wicked, lazy servant.

So you knew that I harvest where I do not plant and gather where I do not scatter. Should you not have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then, take the talent from him and give it to the one with 10. For to everyone who has more will be given and will grow rich from the one who has not. Even what he has will be taken away and throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. God has promised us that he will give us the strength and the ability to do whatever we are called to do.

It’s a form of confidence. And when our confidence is not in God, but in self, then we’re going to feel something. It’s natural. It’s called fear. I don’t know if I can do this. If it is something that God has asked you to do, this parable makes clear he’s not going to ask you to do something that you can’t.

So what is it that gnaws away at confidence? It’s fear and too much focus on me. My abilities, my capacity to do the work. I’m never asked to work alone. That’s the issue. Please take the next few minutes to reflect upon the meaning of this scripture, and then I will close with a prayer.

Sam Foreign closing prayer. Father, it’s so easy for us to doubt your promised spirit that dwells within us, accomplishing your tasks. Give us a stronger faith in this most core thing you’ve taught us. You are in us. You dwell in our hearts, and you can accomplish anything that you choose through us. And we ask this in Jesus name, amen.