Becoming something more
When I asked the Lord what He wanted you to hear through today’s readings, I did not get a response at first. So I sat with them longer and realized that there are optional readings for today’s Memorial of St. John of Damascus. I was moved by the Spirit when reading Matthew 25 which speaks of someone entrusting possessions to his servants by giving them talents in varying amounts.
The week prior to my writing, Catholic Charities Maine held its semiannual leadership conference in which a director “brings” a program to the group through an engagement activity. Bill Hager, director of our child development centers and recipient of CCUSA’s 2025 Bishop Sullivan Award, had us all put something of value into a bag that was then taken out of the room.
We didn’t know what would be done with those items or how long we’d go without them, but we had to trust Bill to take care of and return them. Bill went on to explain that the parents at our childcare centers do the same each day with something far more valuable and irreplaceable: their children. It was a great reminder that Catholic Charities agencies are entrusted with much, even if the talents we’re given are small.
Jesus shares in his parable that we’re not just to protect our talents but to have the courage to invest in them so they grow and become something more. In Catholic Charities, this courage is required to do what is needed even when it comes at a cost, is perceived as risky or unwise, involves committing limited resources in a new ministry or program, or requires advocating for contract changes to better serve our clients. This courage is not arrogance or blind hope but rather faith that the good works we do are embedded in the promises of the Lord.
I pray that we have ears to hear when we’re called to be courageous and the hearts to respond by building upon the trust and talents given to us – as staff, programs, and agencies – to provide something far greater for the people we serve!
Michael Smith is Chief Program Officer of Catholic Charities Maine and serves on the CCUSA’s Management and Administration and Aging Steering Committees.