Gospel for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 15, 2026 · Matthew 25:14-30
The talents
Jesus tells the parable of the talents: God entrusts his gifts to us so that they bear fruit. This Sunday is also the World Day of the Poor. Matthew 25:14-30
Liturgical color: green
This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words
Jesus told a parable, a story that teaches, about a man who was going on a journey. Matthew 25:14
Before leaving, the man called his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. Matthew 25:14
To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability. Matthew 25:15
The one who received five traded with them and made five more. The one with two made two more. Matthew 25:16-17
The one who received one dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. Matthew 25:18
After a long time the master came back and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:19
The first brought him five more talents. The master called him a good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:20-21
He told him that since he had been faithful in small matters, he would give him great responsibilities. And he invited him to share his joy. Matthew 25:21
The second brought him two more talents, and the master answered him with the same words. Matthew 25:22-23
The third told him that he had been afraid, and gave the talent back without any gain. Matthew 25:24-25
The master called him a wicked, lazy servant. He could at least have put the money in the bank to earn interest. Matthew 25:26-27
He ordered that talent to be given to the one who had ten, because everyone who has will be given more. Matthew 25:28-29
And he ordered the useless servant to be thrown outside, into the darkness. Matthew 25:30
What the Bible says
Matthew 25:14-30
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; 15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. 16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. 17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. 18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. 20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. 21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. 23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed. 25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine. 26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury. 28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents. 29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away. 30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The other readings at Mass
First Reading
The Bible praises the worthy wife. She works with her hands, helps the poor, and fears the Lord. Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Responsorial Psalm
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord and walks in his ways. God blesses his work and his family. Psalm 128:1-5
Second Reading
The day of the Lord will come without warning, like a thief at night. Paul asks us to stay awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org
What the Church teaches
The World Day of the Poor
This Sunday it is celebrated for the tenth time. Pope Leo XIV wrote a message for it.
Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 10th World Day of the Poor, November 15, 2026 (vatican.va)
The talents
The Church teaches that talents are not given out equally. Those who have gifts share them with those who need them.
Catechism 1936 and 1937
The color green
We are still in Ordinary Time: the priest wears green.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346
To read with your children
A man left his money with his servants and went away. Matthew 25:14
Two servants worked hard and made the money grow. Matthew 25:16-17
Another servant was afraid and hid his money in the ground. Matthew 25:18, 25
The master praised the ones who worked well. Matthew 25:21
God gave you gifts too. What is yours?
To talk about as a family
- What gifts has God given each person in this family?
- The third servant was afraid. What fears keep us from doing good?
- For the child: what are you good at? How can you use it to help others?
This week
This week, let each one use one of his or her gifts to help someone else. Think together of someone who is poor or lonely, and help that person.
To pray
Lord God, every good thing we have comes from you. Help us not to hide our gifts, but to use them to serve others. Amen.