At the Holy Liturgy today in the Church of St. Nicholas in Kotor, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 106, was read, after which the hierarchal vicar of Kotor-Tivat, parish priest of Kotor, archpriest-staurophor Nemanja Krivokapić spoke, saying that it is up to us Christians to recognize the hand of God in all life situations, but also to behave as best as possible, in order to gain the Кingdom of heaven.

“We heard this Gospel story where the Lord speaks to his disciples, and through them to all of us, about talents and gives a lesson on how we should treat what we have received.

Everything we have here on earth is not ours, we received it from God. Of course, some have received more, some less. We are not all equally talented in everything, but we have all received something from God.

The one who has received more, more will be required of him. The one who has received less, less will be required of him.

It is true that we have not all received the same, but we all have an equal chance to attain salvation,” said Fr. Nemanja.

God created us humans for salvation, with the potential for the Kingdom of God, he said further, adding that he also wants all of us to make an effort and attain it because it is more just and also more beneficial for us.

“In the Holy Scriptures we see that when God created Adam and directly told him that the Kingdom of God was for him, He gave him the power to strive and work, to perfect himself, in order to gain the Kingdom of God. He gave him to cultivate the Garden of Eden, to strive, to give names to the animals... Not that God could not do that, but it was more useful for Adam that he also strive and give something of himself. Like a boy whose father gives him help, even though he does not need it, but the child feels useful, acquires work habits. In the same way, God gives us humans obligations so that we can perfect ourselves through them,” said Father Nemanja.

In addition to talents, God also gives us temptations.

“Various illnesses, death, everything that seems to us as if God is punishing us, so we wonder why we have sinned against Him. God does not punish here on earth nor does He give us a reward here on earth. We will all receive a just reward, but in Heaven. Here on earth we neither receive punishments nor rewards, although it sometimes seems that way, but no. God does not function according to that principle. He will give us everything in justice, but in the Kingdom of God, and what happens here is from God for our perfection. For all difficult situations and temptations, God sees how we will find ourselves in them, cope, and with God's help overcome ourselves and find ourselves in difficult situations. As people say, everything that is from God is sweeter than honey,” says Father Nemanja and emphasizes that it is up to us as Christians to recognize this and to behave as best we can in all situations, to recognize the hand of God.

It reminds us of the popular saying “do not exalt yourself in good, do not humble yourself in evil.”

“In everything we should seek moderation and be aware that everything is according to God’s blessing, just as the good that happens to us is not according to our merits, but according to God’s grace, permission. Likewise, the bad things that happen to us are not punishments, but God tests us, again out of great love for us, so that through it we may become stronger and deserve what is our goal. Our goal is not this life in which some enjoy themselves, while others suffer and are sick... If life on earth were our goal, then there would be no justice in the world. But that is not so, because after this life comes eternal life, which we strive for and which God has intended for us. That is why it is worth enduring in this life even what is not good, if we will understand it correctly, and if it will be to our benefit in gaining the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Lord God grant that by listening to these Divine truths spoken to us through the Gospel, we too may understand what our task is, what we should do "We are working so that we too may hear those words of the Lord, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the Kingdom of your Lord,' amen," said Father Nemanja Krivokapić.

Matthew 105:14-30 (25:14-30):

14. For as a man going on a journey called his servants, and delivered unto them his goods; 15. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability; and straightway he went his way. 16. And he that had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents more. 17. In like manner also he that had received the two, made other two. 18. And he that had received the one went and buried it in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19. And after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. 20. And he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21. His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your lord.” 22. And he who had received the two talents came forward and said, “Master, you delivered to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more talents besides them.” 23. His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your lord.” 24. And he who had received the one talent came forward and said, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not winnow. 25. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground; and behold, you have what is yours.” 26. But his master answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not. 27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents. 29. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and abundance shall he have: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30. And cast that wicked servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.