Have you ever been compared to a beaver? Would such a comparison be a compliment or a criticism. Without an engineering degree, beavers creatively build bridges with methods we need to learn about in college. However, these creative beaver engineers are also destructive because they build their dams only for themselves and their own comfort. They don’t care if their dams dam up the flow of water elsewhere in the ecosystem.

Beavers have a gift, and they use that gift. This Sunday’s Gospel passage reminds us that we, too, have been given gifts. Those gifts create an obligation to use those gifts, not hiding or squandering them, always using them to build not dams, but rather the kingdom of God.

The men in the Gospel passage received gifts, money, from their master. The master wanted to see how they would use the money because he freely gave the gifts based on the abilities of each recipient. In other words, one did not really get more than the other, but each received according to what he could handle. Two of the men doubled what they received, in other words, they used the gifts well and made them grow. The third did nothing but bury the gift, afraid of losing it rather than using it.

Look more closely at this parable. The Gospel writer tells us that the master gave out talents “to each according to his ability.” He did not say “according to need” or “according to what he wanted.” Each man received based on each man’s ability.

There is a corresponding brief phrase. In speaking to each of the servants upon his return, the master says to the one who received five talents and the one who received two talents: “since you were faithful in small matters.” Both five and two were considered small.

When I look out at a typical parish congregation, talent abounds, talent given by God according to each person’s ability. There are many things each of us cannot do, but others can because they have the talent. Remember the woman in the first reading today received praise, not because she earned money, but because she used her talent of sewing.

Jesus clearly emphasizes that each person has talent, according to his ability to handle the talent.

Talents must, and I underscore must, be used. The only one cursed in the Gospel was the man who buried his talent and did nothing with it. What a tremendous waste of talent even if only one talent.

In the context of the Church, we must use our talents for ourselves and for others. The creative use of shared talents makes the Church tick. The accumulation of each person’s talent allows the parish community to thrive. Without the talents of each person, the parish would be dormant. Remember, the only person condemned was the one who did not use his talent. Those receiving praise were those who used their talents. The quantity mattered little. Using the talent counted.

Today’s scripture forces us to acknowledge our talent as God’s gift and making sure that we use that talent well. Unlike the beavers who use their talents only for themselves, may we use our gifts to build up God’s people.