Talent Before Judgement

     A man prayed alone inside a Roman Catholic church in Boston. Before him stood a display of artwork. It depicted a statue of Saint Anthony facing a painting of Jesus. Dramatic lighting illuminated the scene.
   During the Council of Trent, The Church considered the purpose of religious art. it determined that religious art should inspire people to become ‘excited to adore and love God, and to cultivate piety.’
     Those aims are laudable. The artwork inside the church performed that role.
     I believe it pleases God when artists—and non artists—use their talents on his behalf. All of us have God given skills that can be utilized for good works.
     Soon we’ll die. Everyone of us will learn the extent of God’s satisfaction, or disappointment, or even wrath, for how we conducted our lives.
     Imagine if God asks us, “What did you do with the talent I gave you?”