Each of us is endowed with a gift or a talent that is unique.
Whether we will fully realise the potential within us depends on a lot of factors.
In the gospel parable, the talents refer to a large sum of money.
But we can also take it to mean the intangible potential within us.
Today as we celebrate the memorial of St. Augustine, we remember a great saint who is a gifted philosopher and theologian and who made many profound contributions to the Church.
But before his conversion, St. Augustine led a wild and wayward life and he would not have realised his potential if not for the prayers of his mother St. Monica, as well as St. Ambrose who had a deep influence on his life.
Like St. Augustine, we too need the help of other people to help us realise who we are and what we can do for the good of others.
May we be able to realise the potential of our gifts and talents and help others to realise theirs.