We just celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany where the Magi offer three gifts to the newborn Christ-Child: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.These were expensive, useful, and symbolic. We don’t know exactly how much Jesus received or what the Holy Family did with them. But they are symbolic in that the gifts point to Jesus’ role in salvation history: The gold reminds us of his kingly power. The frankincense points to his divinity as the Son of God. And the myrrh recalls his anointing prior to burial after the crucifixion.
After his ascension into heaven, the Church continued to grow as the apostles spread the Good News. In thanksgiving, people gave property, money, and jewels to the Church and contributed to the works of charity by supporting the poor and the ill. Many of the cathedrals and chapels in Europe were built through the generosity of both the wealthy and people of ordinary means. In our current day, people continue to support the work of the church by contributing to building projects and initiatives as well as by the donation of food and clothes.
But what gifts do we give to Jesus? Yes, when we support those in most need, we are giving to Christ. However, what does Jesus want from us as individuals?
There is an often used phrase—Time—Talent—and Treasure—to describe what we should be doing as Catholics to support the Church. But it goes deeper than that. Our time, talent, and treasure should also be used to build up our personal relationship with the Lord.
We give the gift of time to God through our personal, daily prayer and meditation. We should spend time with God developing a relationship with him. Does this happen? Or do we find that we are so busy with life that we fail to spend time with God or simply give him the leftovers? We give the gift of our talents to the Lord by using them to the fullest. Sometimes however, people choose not to share their talents even though others could benefit. God has given us these abilities so that we could use them and not hide them away. How have we shared our talents as a way to praise God? We have been given the gift of material possessions. However, do we own them or do they own us? Do our money and possessions afford us more time to be with the Lord or are they distractions that prevent us from being with the Lord? Has our treasure made us complacent or haughty toward others and thereby toward God?
This week do an analysis of your time, talent, and treasure. How much of it do you give to God and how much do you keep for yourself?
