Over the centuries, there have been times when Christians have believed the end of the world was near, Fr. Tony of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church said in the bulletin. 

"Whether it was the prediction of some false prophet, the plague or some other calamity, it always seems as if the time in which people are actually living shows the signs that this is it! This is the end of the world! But to be inordinately concerned about figuring out the signs oft he end is to miss the point of today’s Gospel reading," he said in the bulletin. "Jesus makes it clear that no matter what trials come, no matter what is happening in the world, God  gives us all the tools we need to be faithful."

In the Gospel reading, a master trusts his servants with a "talent." He gives each servant a different amount and we feel sorry for the servant who receives the least. 

"However ,some speculate that talent would weigh about 75 pounds and would be cast in the shape of an ingot with a handle on top for easy transportation. If it was made of silver it would be worth 6,000 denarii which is equal to 6,000 days’wages! That servant could have done at least something worth 6,000 days'wages. God has blessed each one of us in our own way and we each possess our own gifts. If we bury them and fail to use them, they are worthless. But when we trust in the Lord and use what God has given to build up His Kingdom, grea tthings can happen," he said in the bulletin.