Let’s reflect on Jesus’ words, “Engage in trade with ten gold coins until I return.” This can be broken down to four action plan—find ten gold coins, engage in trade, make a profit, and give it to God.
First, find your ten gold coins. A gold coin is unimaginable money to servants. A nobleman freely gives away ten gold coins to the servants without having a contract only with the words, “Engage in trade with these until I return.” What could be your gold coins or valuable talents? I can think of my ten gold coins: being a priest, family, various friends, health, optimistic character, ability to run, different experiences, the Church, the pope, and the faithful whom I serve.
Second, engage in trade. What would be your area of trading? To a religious woman, trading is all about developing relationships with people in the parish, school, and hospital, and bringing them to God through your words and deeds.
Third, make a profit. Making a profit means to gain people’s heart, so that people trust in you and acknowledge who the King is to you. You increase the members of the Church.
Fourth, give it to God. Enriching human relationship is not the goal. The servants should be indifferent in what she/he has done for the Kingdom of God.
Life is a journey up to Jerusalem. There is a mission to all travelers, including Jesus Himself. The mission is a life-purpose that is unique and different to the travelers. Fulfilling each life-purpose begins finding your own ten gold coins. And engage in trade without fear because everything is given to you and you are in charge. And making a profit means to be enriched by human relationships and to increase the faithful. In the end, everything and everyone you have obtained is not yours because your talents were given and you are just travelers. Work hard through finding, engaging, making and giving it to God; enjoy the journey until the Lord comes to reward you. Here is one of my favorite prayers by St. Ignatius.
Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding, my will as well as my wounds, my scars, my sins. All that I have and cherish is your gift to me. I surrender it all to be guided by your will. Your grace and your love are wealth enough for me. Give me these, Lord Jesus, I ask for nothing more.