Pope: May we offer wealth of charity, share our bread, multiply love

By Thaddeus Jones

In his homily during the Mass for the World Day of the Poor taking place in Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis reflected on two aspects of the Sunday Gospel reading recounting the parable of the talents: the journey of Jesus and the journey of our lives.

Talents given according to the ability of each

Describing the journey of Jesus in his incarnation, resurrection and ascension into heaven, Pope Francis said Jesus has left us his "wealth", recalling the Eucharist, his words of life, "his holy Mother to be our Mother", and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He explained how all of these gifts or "talents" are freely offered so that we can continue His work on earth in our own "personal mission that the Lord entrusts to us in our daily lives, in society and in the Church." 

The journey of Jesus will continue at the end of time when He returns in glory, the Pope recalled, "in order to 'settle the accounts' of history and bring us into the joy of eternal life." And it is therefore important that we ask ourselves, "in what state will the Lord find us when he returns." 

Making our lives an offering of love

Looking at the journey of our own lives, the Pope said we need to ask what path it will take, that of Jesus "whose very life was gift" or the way of selfishness. The path of Jesus requires using the "talents" we have received, that is, the Lord's gifts that Christ left us when returning to Father. 

The Pope explained that we are called to "multiply the wealth we have been given, and make our lives an offering of love for the sake of others" even if we can choose to bury that treasure, looking out only for ourselves, unconcerned and disengaged.

Share bread and multiply love

Recalling the great suffering in our world, the scandal of widespread poverty, "the forgotten poor whose cry of pain goes unheard in the generalized indifference of a bustling and distracted society," the Pope explained how today's Gospel speaks loudly and clearly that we must "spread the wealth of charity, share our bread and multiply love." He called on everyone to remember and help the oppressed, weary or marginalized, the victims of war, refugees, the hungry, the unemployed and those who have lost hope.

The Pope recalled that when the Lord returns, he will "settle accounts with us" and how we used the gifts given to us in loving and serving others.