Possessiveness is the cancer of our society. It stems from insecurity and fear because of a lack of understanding of God’s graciousness and faithfulness and hence looks for personal security, wellbeing and comfort. Such was the case of the servant with one talent in today’s Gospel parable.

Unreasonable fear of God can make us blind to the grace and abilities that are God’s gifts to us; we doubt the outcome of our actions, because our faith is small and our trust in God even less. Like the servant, we focus on what could go wrong and hide what we have received.

With this parable, God reminds us that each of us has the responsibility to use what He has given us. No two people receive the same gifts. Each of us is unique, created and loved by God in our individuality. God does not expect us to be like any other person, but simply asks of us to become the best we can; to recognize and develop what we have been blessed with, for our own good and that of all creation.