箴 31:10-13, ​19-20, ​30-31; 詠 127(128):1-5; 得前 5:1-6; 瑪 25:14-30

在今天的福音中，耶穌給我們講述了一個比喻：有一個人要出遠門，便把不同數目的「塔冷通」交給他的僕人保管。兩個僕人將主人交託的塔冷通，善加利用並使之增加。但第三個僕人因為害怕，卻將其埋在地下，最後只是原物奉還給了主人。儘管他並沒有丟失那個塔冷通，卻因爲對之一無所爲，而成了他做錯的地方。

這個比喻提醒我們，天主把不同的恩賜和才能交託給我們每一個人。我們各有不同，也不是每個人都擁有相同的才能。有些人善於聆聽，有些人善於鼓勵、教導、組織安排，或照顧身邊的人。有些人可能有更多時間，或有更多的物質資源可以與人分享。重要的並不是我們得到多少，而是如何去使用我們得到的一切。主並沒有要求我們成為別人，而是希望我們能忠信地善用這份領受的恩賜。

今天，我們也慶祝「世界窮人日」，這福音的訊息就顯得格外重要。在第一篇讀經中提到的那位賢淑的婦人，她伸出雙手援助窮人，向有需要的人敞開雙臂。這正提醒我們，真正的信仰生活，一定體現在我們是如何對待別人上。我們不一定要做甚麼驚天動地的大事。有時候，只是探望一位孤單的人，向身陷困境的人說一句關懷的話，花一點時間聆聽別人的心聲，或向有需要的人提供一些實際的幫助。這些事情看起來雖然微不足道，卻可能為別人帶來很大的安慰和幫助。

在第二篇讀經中，聖保祿提醒我們要時刻醒寤，在信德中生活。我們不知道主何時再來，但我們可以確保自己的生活能夠反映祂的愛。我們不應讓恐懼、猶豫，或認為自己的付出太微不足道，而阻礙我們採取行動。天主能夠透過我們在祂的事業中所貢獻的小小才能，來成就祂美妙的大事。

親愛的朋友們，或許我們可以在今天問一問自己：天主給了我多少恩賜？而我又是如何利用的？有時候，我們可能覺得沒什麼能拿得出手的，但出於愛心和慷慨的行動，即使微小卻都十分重要。讓我們不要因為恐懼或冷漠，而把自己的恩賜埋藏起來。相反，讓我們善用自己所擁有的一切，為別人帶去希望、安慰和支持，尤其是那些貧窮或在困境中掙扎的人。這樣，我們便準備好了隨時迎接主的到來，因為我們已盡力善用了祂所交託給我們的一切。阿們。

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: World Day of the Poor

Proverbs 31:10-13,​ 19-20, ​30-31; Psalm 127(128):1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of a man who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money before going away. Two of them put what they have received to good use and make it grow. But the third servant, out of fear, buries his talent in the ground and simply gives it back. He does not lose what he was given, but he does nothing with it either. And that is where he goes wrong.

This parable reminds us that God has entrusted each of us with gifts and abilities. We are not all the same, and we do not all have the same talents. Some people are good at listening; others are good at encouraging, teaching, organising or caring for those around them. Some may have more time or material resources to share. What matters is not how much we have received, but what we do with what we have been given. The Lord does not ask us to be someone else. He asks us to use our own gifts faithfully.

Today, as we celebrate the World Day of the Poor, this message becomes especially important. The first reading speaks of a woman who reaches out her hands to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. It reminds us that a life of faith must be seen in the way we treat others. We do not need to do something extraordinary. Sometimes it is a visit to someone who is lonely, a kind word to someone who is struggling, a little time given to someone who needs to be heard, or practical help offered to a person in difficulty. These may seem like small things, but they can mean a great deal to another person.

In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds us to stay awake and live as people of faith. We do not know when the Lord will come, but we can make sure that we are living in a way that reflects his love. We should not allow fear, hesitation or the thought that our contribution is too small to hold us back. The Lord can do wonderful things through the simple gifts we place at his service.

Dear friends, perhaps today we can ask ourselves: what have I been given, and how am I using it? We may sometimes feel that we have very little to offer, but every act of love and generosity matters. Let us not bury our gifts through fear or indifference. Instead, let us use what we have to bring hope, comfort and support to others, especially those who are poor or struggling. In this way, we will be ready to meet the Lord, knowing that we have tried to make good use of all that he has entrusted to us. Amen.