I knew a man who had a farm and towards the end of his life we were talking
about what he had achieved. ‘I want to leave the place better than I found it,’ he
said. I have often thought of that simple ambition. He had no desire to make
excessive money or make a name for himself in the locality. He just wanted to
make improvements on the farm before handing it on to the next generation.
Jesus had a story about people with a variety of talents or gifts. They react
differently. Two of them – though one more gifted than the other – used their
opportunities fully and were rewarded for their efforts. A third fellow panicked
and made no effort to use his gifts. He just sat on his hands and did nothing and
gained nothing.
As in all Jesus’ stories, the teaching is obvious: use the abilities you have –
whatever they are. Easily said, but still true. ‘Unless I am qualified, I cannot do
anything!’ Not true. There is always something people can do. Even the most
severely wounded can do something. Once, in the Ivory Coast, I met 20-year-
old Innocente who lived with severe intellectual and physical disabilities and
just lay on a mat on the floor all day.
But everyone in the house knew, if you wanted cheering-up, all you had to do
was sit with Innocente for a while. You would speak a few words to her but she
could not say anything. Then she would look at you and a huge smile would
come over her and light up her face. People tried to describe the experience and
one person called it a ‘window opening briefly into heaven.’
Innocente did not live long – perhaps until she was 25 – but she ‘left the place
better than she found it.’ These are two examples – one strong man with a farm
and another a young girl with nothing but her heart – but there are so many
people who can neither work not smile. They are broken by the poverty that
surrounds them every day.
How can you talk about using your talents when people are frustrated by a
tsunami of blocked opportunities where ever they turn? A few days ago I met
wave after wave of girls walking home from school in their blue and yellow
uniforms. They were laughing and joking in the joy of being alive but I could
not avoid thinking of their future. How will it be for them?
Yet people are amazingly resourceful. Despite all the obstacles in their path,
most people do manage to use their talents as best they can. They leave this
place better than they found it.
19 Nov 2023 Sunday 33A Prov 31:10…31 1 Thes 5:1-6 Mt 25:14-30
By Fr David Harold-Barry SJ
English