Saturday August 30, 2025

---

“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.” (From today’s Gospel reading)

---

Good News Reflection for:

Saturday of the 21st Week of Ordinary Time
August 30, 2025

Today’s Readings:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Psalm 98:1, 7-9
Matthew 25:14-30 
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083025.cfm
Podcast:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-august-16-2025

Why does God favor the ungodly?

I’ve been asked this question, and I totally sympathize with the frustration behind it. I used to wonder about it myself, particularly when my prayers weren’t being answered (or so it seemed).

The question: Have you noticed that people we consider to be ungodly are thriving in their undertakings? They hold high positions in societies, have more than enough money in their bank accounts, etc. Meanwhile, “God-fearing” Christians are constantly struggling.

The person asking me about it wanted to know: “(1) What is behind the success of ‘bad’ people? (2) Do you think God has any merit for loving such people? (3) What should the ‘God-fearing’ people do to earn the Creator’s grace such as that being lavished on ‘bad’ people?”

In my answer, first, I’d like to explain that God does not favor sinners. However, there are times when we who are followers of Christ feel let down by God. We expect to be favored more than sinners. We assume that if we are good, if we are obedient to God, if we follow Christ, if we pray for help, then of course God should reward us by granting us the answers to our prayers and giving us prosperity and other good things. But we cannot manipulate God. No one can earn God’s favor nor his help. It’s a sin to try, because it’s based on the wrong assumption that we can manipulate God by our good deeds.

When we see non-believers having more success than we do in the same things we were hoping God would help us with, how do we feel? When we assume that God is treating us less favorably than others, that’s a very limited view of what’s really happening. I learned this lesson many years ago, and I tell the story about that in the WordBytes article God, why have You abandoned me? @ wordbytes.org/suffering/god-why-have-you-abandoned-me.

Now I will address the three questions specifically.

1. We all have talents that, when put to use, help us become successful. Those non-believers who are very prosperous have been using the talents that God gave them. God wants us to use the talents he gave us, regardless of whether or not we recognize him as the Father of our talents. When someone fails to glorify him, he doesn’t make the sinner talent-less. Some of the things they do with their talents will inadvertently glorify him!

2. If by the word “merit” you mean “reason” or “purpose”, then yes, God has a purpose: His reason for loving sinners is to be true to himself. He loves because he is love. Beyond that, he loves because love can heal, love can promote change, love can convert hearts.

3. God’s grace cannot be earned. Grace is — by its very nature — a freely given gift by God that helps us grow closer to him. It is withheld from no one, but in fact, followers of Christ are more aware of the grace that he makes available and therefore live in the Creator’s grace more than non-believers do.

For a more in-depth answer, see the WordBytes article Why Does God Favor the Ungodly? @ wordbytes.org/faqs/why-does-god-favor-ungodly.

© 2025 by Terry A. Modica

---

 To distribute the Good News Reflections in your church bulletin or in RCIA or faith sharing groups, please contact us.

 You can also receive this & more faith-builders by text message on your phone.

 Keep it going! This reflection reached you thanks to benefactors. Please support this ministry today.

 Post your prayer request.

 How else can we serve you today? Visit our homepage.

Search more reflections in our continually growing database.

Homebound, Prison & Hospital Ministers are invited to print and distribute them without further permission.

Continue your prayer time with these:
Pray with Saints | Pray the Rosary | Other Prayers | Random Quotes.

 

Order and share Terry Modica's books

Socialize with us at: