How many of us have heard the parable of the talents and not see the link to our role in the economy. Many of us do not readily make the link between the gifts God gave us, our jobs, our contribution to the economy and our duty to God.

“In light of the Revelation, economic activity is to be considered and undertaken as a grateful response to the vocation which God holds out for each person.  Man is placed in the garden to till and keep it, making use of it within well-specified limits with a commitment to perfecting it. 

Bearing witness to the grandeur and goodness of the Creator, he walks towards the fullness of freedom to which God calls him. Good administration of the gifts received, and of material goods also, is a work of justice towards oneself and towards others. What has been received should be used properly, preserved and increased, as suggested by the parable of the talents.”

We all therefore have a responsibility to be diligent, industrious, enterprising and creative in all our activities in the workplace. It is not good enough to do the bare minimum, doing so will be unjust.

“Economic activity and material progress must be placed at the service of man and society. If people dedicate themselves to these with the faith, hope and love of Christ’s disciples, even the economy and progress can be transformed into places of salvation and sanctification.  In these areas too it is possible to express a love and a solidarity that are more than human, and to contribute to the growth of a new humanity that anticipates the world to come.  Jesus sums up all of revelation in calling the believer to become rich before God (cf Lk 12:21). The economy too is useful to this end, when its function as an instrument for the overall growth of man and society, of the human quality of life, is not betrayed.”

“In the Letter of St Paul to the Colossians, we read that Christ is ‘the firstborn of all creation,’ and that ‘all things were created through him’ and for him.  In fact, ‘all things hold together in him,’ since in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things.

A part of this divine plan, which begins from eternity in Christ, the perfect ‘image’ of the Father, and which culminates in him, ‘the firstborn from the dead’, in our own history, marked by our personal and collective effort to raise up the human condition and to overcome the obstacles which are continually arising along our way.  It thus prepares us to share in the fullness which ‘dwells in the Lord’ and which he communicates ‘to his body, which is the Church.

At the same time sin, which is always attempting to trap us and which jeopardizes our human achievements, is conquered and redeemed by the ‘reconciliation’ accomplished by Christ.”

This reminds us that everything we do is for God’s glory. We have a responsibility to improve the lives of others through our work as individuals as well as by working together i.e. collective effort.  In doing this everything will not go smoothly, however, we are to continue in the task of human improvement as it is our responsibility.

Next week’s topic “Wealth exists to be shared”.

Interested in purchasing the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church? Please contact the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, Archbishop’s House – 622-6680.