Sunday, September 20, 2026
Matthew 25:14-30
II Corinthians 6:1-10
Eve of the Nativity of the Theotokos

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Glory to Jesus Christ. Glory forever. On this Eve of the Nativity of the Mother of God, we hear a Gospel about a hard master who gives his servants different types of talents. But it is not the type or quantity of gifts that matters, but how each servant treats their talents. The wise master gives “to each according to their abilities.” Those given ten and five talents wisely invest what they have and when the master returns from traveling abroad, they return his investment doubly. Each of these acted out of love in community, willing to cooperate with others and risk the master’s gift to obtain a higher reward. The servant given one talent acted not out of love but out of fear; he buried the talent, preventing others from enjoying it and then merely returned it to the master without any interest. The master punished the servant who was unproductive. For though he was given the least amount he was still called to be faithful with what he had.