Everyone is Good at Something!
 
Today’s gospel includes the “Parable of the Talents.”  A “talent” is equal to a sum of money.  The commentators argue exactly how much it is—such as 15 years of wages, a million dollars, etc.—but they do agree on one thing: it was a huge amount.  So the rich man’s investment in the three people he trusted was significant.  He gave them talents based on their abilities.
 
In our modern world, the use of the word “talent” has come to mean the things that we’re naturally good at.  We don’t equate it with money anymore, although many people who are talented in sports, acting, business, you name it, can get paid quite well. 
 
Instead, “talent” has come to mean a natural ability to do something well.  And it’s valuable because when talents are used best, their value doubles: it not only benefits the talented person, but also those who are enriched by them.
 
One of the morals of the parable is to invest in the talents we’ve been given.  It’s so important to God—the One who gives them to us in the first place—that he will hold us accountable if we bury them instead of use them.  That makes sense because the Christian life is always outward directed.  When we share what we’re good at, God’s investment in us blossoms.
 
What are My Talents?
 
That of course can lead to the question of knowing what our talents may be.  It’s obvious for some, but can be hidden for others.  One ne thing’s for sure: we’re all good at something.
 
During the last few months, the parish and school staff have been engaged in an assessment tool that’s effective at discovering our individual talents.  The tool is called StrengthsFinder, which was developed by the Gallop Organization.  It was initially designed for the business world, but has also been adapted, interestingly, for use in Christian churches.  There is a Catholic version called Living Our Strengths which helps identify what talents we have that can be used to build up parish life.
 
The basic premise is that all of us are naturally talented in certain areas.  Once we discover what they are, we can build upon the talents and strengths of each other—not to compete, but to build up the Body of Christ in our world and within our own church and school.  The assessment tool is helping us work stronger and more effectively with one another.  It’s helped us know and appreciate each other better, value and understand one another’s strengths, and most  importantly, will help us as we build upon the strengths of St. Hubert.
 
The parish and school staffs are a talented group, no doubt.  But a little bit of self-knowledge—and awareness of how we compliment the gifts of each other—go a long way to knowing we’re working on the mission of our parish: being God’s people, becoming God’s people, and building up God’s people.
 
May God bless you in the ways you share your talents with others,