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b'Monsignor John Esseff discusses the importance of love and the dangers of self-obsession. He uses the parable of the talents from the Gospel of Matthew to illustrate his point, explaining that the talents represent love and the servants represent different levels of capacity for love. He warns against laziness and self-obsession, using figures like Hitler and Stalin as examples of individuals who had little capacity for love and caused great suffering. He encourages listeners to exercise their capacity for love and witness love in the world. He also discusses the role of fear in blocking love and the importance of understanding that love multiplies when given away. He concludes by urging listeners to be aware of their capacity for love and to use it to bring light into the world.
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\\nGospel MT 25:14-30
\\nJesus told his disciples this parable:
\\n“A man going on a journey
\\ncalled in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
\\nTo one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
\\nto each according to his ability.
\\nThen he went away.
\\nImmediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
\\nand made another five.
\\nLikewise, the one who received two made another two.
\\nBut the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
\\nand buried his master’s money.
\\nAfter a long time
\\nthe master of those servants came back
\\nand settled accounts with them.
\\nThe one who had received five talents came forward
\\nbringing the additional five.
\\nHe said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
\\nSee, I have made five more.\\u2019
\\nHis master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
\\nSince you were faithful in small matters,
\\nI will give you great responsibilities.
\\nCome, share your master’s joy.\\u2019
\\nThen the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
\\n‘Master, you gave me two talents.
\\nSee, I have made two more.’
\\nHis master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
\\nSince you were faithful in small matters,
\\nI will give you great responsibilities.
\\nCome, share your master’s joy.\\u2019
\\nThen the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
\\n‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
\\nharvesting where you did not plant
\\nand gathering where you did not scatter;
\\nso out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
\\nHere it is back.’
\\nHis master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
\\nSo you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
\\nand gather where I did not scatter?
\\nShould you not then have put my money in the bank
\\nso that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
\\nNow then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
\\nFor to everyone who has,
\\nmore will be given and he will grow rich;
\\nbut from the one who has not,
\\neven what he has will be taken away.
\\nAnd throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
\\nwhere there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.\'”
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\\nLectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright \\xa9 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
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\\nMsgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. \\xa0Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta.\\xa0 \\xa0\\xa0He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.\\xa0 Msgr. Esseff encountered St. \\xa0Padre Pio, \\xa0who would become his spiritual father.\\xa0 He has lived in areas around the world, \\xa0serving in the Pontifical Missions,'