Today’s Gospel reading for August 29, 2025, presented during the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, features the Parable of the Talents as told by Jesus to His disciples. This story illustrates the importance of using one’s gifts wisely and being accountable for entrusted resources.

In the parable, a man preparing to embark on a journey entrusts his servants with varying amounts of talents—five, two, and one—each according to their ability. The servants who received five and two talents actively invest and double their given sums. In contrast, the servant with one talent, fearing loss, opts to bury the money instead of putting it to use.

Upon the master's return, he commends the first two servants for their faithfulness and rewards them with increased responsibilities, inviting them to share in his joy. However, he reproaches the third servant for his laziness and fear-driven inaction, taking away his single talent and giving it to the servant with ten.

The master’s concluding lesson underscores that those who wisely use their gifts will gain more, while those who fail to do so risk losing even what little they have. The servant who wasted his opportunity is cast out into darkness, symbolizing severe consequences for negligence.

The parable serves as a powerful reminder of the value of diligence, trustworthiness, and proactive stewardship in all areas of life, encouraging believers to act boldly and responsibly with their talents and resources.