We are very close to the end of the Church year. The Gospel is the parable of the talents. Three people are given large amounts of money to trade with while their employer is away. Two of them - those who got the bigger amounts - did very well and doubled their original capital. The master was very pleased. The third, the one who received the least and therefore should have had the greatest incentive to do well, was over-cautious and buried his money in the ground. It earned nothing, not even the interest it might have got in a savings account. It is a picture of the Christian and his accountability to his Lord. Each one of us has been given gifts, abilities, opportunities with which we serve the Lord and do His work of building the Kingdom on earth. As St Paul reminds us the gifts we receive are not for ourselves but for building up communities of love and justice. Yet there many who see their faith as the fulfilling of obligations so that they can 'save their soul'. But the only way we can please our Master is to join with Him in a life of love and service to others. What difference has my life made to others? What positive contributions have I made to my society or to the Christian community to which I belong? Is the Church there for me or am I there for the Church and its mission? Let me dig up my talents and start putting them to good use - the service of the Kingdom.