Dear College Community,

Human beings possess a unique nature that allows us to learn and advance. There is a distinct difference between us and other creations. What sets us apart is the array of skills and gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently, He will inquire about how we utilised these gifts. The Lord has granted us the abilities of understanding and reasoning, health, and the capacity to communicate with others, and He will hold each individual accountable according to their gifts. He will ask whether we used them, benefited from them, invested them, or merely utilised them for our own gain.

This is a crucial lesson for us to learn, especially at this time of the year in the Coptic Church, as we approach the end of the Coptic year. This period serves as a reminder of the end of the world and the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, an event for which we have all been eagerly awaiting. It is then that He will question us about what we have done with our gifts.

In the "Parable of the Talents" from Matthew 25:14–30, we find a powerful illustration of this principle:

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.'

At the end of the world, the Lord will want to hear from us that we used His gifts to communicate with others about Him, to assist the poor and the sick, and to employ the gift of reasoning to invent new solutions that enhance life.

I hope that we always remain ready, continually talking to God, expressing our love for Him, and committing to serve Him through the use of our talents in the service of others.

Fr. Tadros Sharobeam

Head of College