http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/notes-on-peace-and-justice/

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“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

“It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one — to each according to his ability.

“Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five.He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

“The one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

“Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ “

Framework:  The Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching[i]

I.  The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The basis of all teachings:  Human life is sacred.  It is a gift from God.  The dignity of the person is the foundation of our moral vision for society.

II.  The Call to Family and Community Participation

Our participation in our families, our communities, and in society is a reflection of our faith.  How we organize our society – in economics and politics, in law and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.

III.  Rights and Responsibilities

Every person has a right to life and to those things required for human decency.  With those rights, come responsibilities – to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

IV.  The Option for – and With – the Poor and Vulnerable

A basic moral test of any society is how its poorest and most vulnerable members fare.  We are reminded by Christ that at the end we will be judged on our response to the poor and vulnerable. (See Mt. 25: 31-46.[1])

V.  The Dignity of Work, and Workers’ Rights

Human dignity is expressed in the dignity of work and the rights of workers:  work is a way of participating in God’s creation.  Workers must have a right to productive labor, to decent and fair wages,  to organize, to hold private property to take economic initiative.

VI.  Solidarity

“Loving our neighbor” has global dimensions, particularly in a shrinking world.

VII.  Care for God’s Creation

The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land which nourishes us are among the gifts God has entrusted to us, to return with increase when we are finished.  Christian responsibility for the environment begins with appreciation of the goodness of all God’s creation.

The lesson of Chapter 25 of Matthew is that:

God made everything.
God still owns everything:  our gifts are meant to be used on behalf of their Owner, for His purposes.
We hold our gifts in Trust, as Stewards:

Time –  we must be personally involved in the work of God, by giving our time
Talent – we must use the talents that have been entrusted to us in ways that will be most pleasing to their Owner
Treasure – we must share the resources that have been entrusted to us, in ways that will please God.

When our time comes, we must return our gifts to the Lord, with increase.