MaryJane OKOTIE &

Daniel FASANYA

 

Members of the Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN), Ibadan Archdiocese, gathered for a spiritually enriching Lenten Retreat centered on the theme “Talents for the Kingdom,” a reflection drawn from Matthew 25:14–30, the Parable of the Talents.

 

The retreat, held on February 28, 2026, at the Servant of Charity, Yemetu, Olubadan, Ibadan brought together Catholic artistes and entertainers for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal during the Lenten season. The programme featured Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Rosary recitation, Stations of the Cross, a Spiritual talk, and the celebration of the Holy Mass.

 

Facilitating the retreat, Rev. Fr. Patrick Odediran emphasized the deeper spiritual meaning behind the Parable of the Talents, highlighting responsibility, accountability, and faithful stewardship in the Christian life. He explained that in the Gospel passage, Jesus uses the familiar image of money entrusted to servants to communicate a profound truth about participation in God’s Kingdom.

 

According to the priest, God remains the true owner of every talent, while human beings are merely stewards entrusted with gifts, skills, opportunities, and resources. Drawing from the parable, he noted that the master distributed talents according to each servant’s ability, underscoring that comparison among believers is unnecessary. Rather, what matters most is faithfulness in using whatever one has received.

 

Fr. Odediran further explained that the two servants who invested their talents demonstrated diligence and courage, and were rewarded not simply for possessing more but for being productive and responsible. Their reward — entrance into their master’s joy — symbolizes deeper communion with God and greater participation in His divine mission.

In contrast, the servant who buried his talent allowed fear to dictate his actions, resulting in loss and rebuke.

 

The facilitator stressed that this serves as a spiritual warning: talents grow when they are used but diminish when neglected. He encouraged participants to overcome fear, complacency, and laziness, which can hinder spiritual growth and service.

 

“The message of Talents for the Kingdom is a call to faithful stewardship,” he said, urging believers to actively invest their gifts in service to God and humanity. “Every Christian has something to contribute — whether spiritual gifts, natural abilities, time, or material resources. What God expects is commitment, growth, and courage.”

Participants were reminded that all believers will ultimately give an account of how they used what God placed in their hands. Faithful stewardship, the priest noted, leads to growth, joy, and divine approval, while neglect results in spiritual loss.

 

The retreat concluded with a renewed call for Catholic artistes and entertainers within the Ibadan Archdiocese to use their creative talents as instruments of evangelization, witnessing to the Gospel through their professions and daily lives.

 

As Lent continues, attendees were encouraged to live intentionally, using their God-given abilities for His glory so as to merit the words of the Master: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”