Saturday August 28, 2021: The 80:20 rule

If you have ever been part of any organization, you will know what the 80:20 rule is. For those of you who don’t know the concept, it refers to 80% of the work being done by 20% of the group’s members. I think this happens for two reasons. One is that the association’s leadership quickly recognizes which members get things accomplished and can be relied upon. They then direct projects to those members. But the second is more basic. The productive members feel the responsibility to serve the needs of the group. And they have the abilities to produce.

Now on the opposite side of this principle are those who do not accomplish much for the organization. Let’s call these members…oh, I don’t know…how about we call them HUSBANDS. And the organization is called the HOME. Who is the CEO of this organization? Well, that would be the wife. And here is a little known secret…OK, maybe not so little known. As husbands we have learned, or maybe we were subliminally taught as infants, that if we do not want to have many chores assigned to us by the CEO, the key is to not do well on those jobs. Because the likelihood is that the home leadership will eventually say, “I’ll just do it myself. It gets done faster that way”. Mission accomplished!! Fold those clothes by clumping each into a ball, clean the toilet by just wiping the top of the seat, and when you make the bed just pull the bedspread over the unmade sheets. Just a few suggestions from the master.

In today’s Gospel the master is going away on a trip and gives some responsibilities to his three servants. And he assigns the responsibilities based on his perception of abilities. He entrusts the three with a portion of his wealth. A hefty portion too. To one he gives 5 talents (a unit of money), to another 2 and the last gets 1. The first two double the money that they were put in charge of and as their reward they get put in positions of greater authority since they demonstrated trustworthiness and ability. The third? Well, he demonstrated an inability to fold shirts. Or at least an unwillingness to do so. Rather than use abilities that he had, he played it safe and hid the portion of money assigned to him. The master took the one talent he had and gave it to the other two.

And it is really not that hard to understand this concept. If you were running a business, and your employees showed a diversity in ability to carry out an assigned project, wouldn’t you give future projects to those who demonstrated aptitude? It is human nature and good business sense.

There is a scene from one of the early Spiderman movies where Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben is discussing with him about a fight he got into at school and tells him that just because he CAN beat someone up does not mean that he SHOULD. And he recites the classic line, “With great power comes great responsibility”. The more we CAN do, the more we are EXPECTED to do.

Not everyone has the same talents (in this case referring to the typical way this word is used today). God doesn’t ask us to do what we are not capable of. But HE does expect us to fully use what we have been given. I am so grateful that Laura Kazlas asked me to write for A Catholic Moment several years ago. She gave me an opportunity to take an ability that I have to write and use it to reflect on the scriptures. There are others who can preach the Word. And there are others who can pray unceasingly for others. And still others who enjoy connecting with people and serve in hospitality ministries or bringing the Eucharist to those who are home bound. And there are those who can only meditate on God’s word and be a model for others.

It does not matter what you do, or how often you do it. What matters is that you take whatever you CAN do and use it to glorify God and serve others. And remember, God knows when we are just pulling up the bedspread instead of making the bed. Now, where is that toilet brush?

Today’s Readings

About the Author

Hello! My name is John Ciribassi. I live in Carol Stream, IL in the USA. My wife Elise and I are parishioners at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. We have two adult daughters. One lives in Senegal, West Africa with her husband and her 3 sons. The other teaches Anthropology at the University of Oslo, Norway. We also have a home in Mainesburg, Pa in the North Central part of Pennsylvania. My wife and I are both retired veterinarians, and my specialty is in animal behavior. I attended college and veterinary school in Illinois, where I met my wife who is from the Chicago area, and the rest is history! My hobbies include Racquetball, Pickleball, Off Road Motorcycle Riding, Hiking and Camping. I continue to enjoy the opportunity to offer what little insight I have on the scriptures. But I have always felt that the scriptures can speak for themselves. My job is just to shine a little light on them for people who maybe don't have the time to look into the readings deeply. I hope you enjoy and find value in my writings. I continue to be grateful for this opportunity.

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12 Comments

  1. …real, humourous, reflective. Thanks so much John. May God continue to bless and inspire you.

  2. Not only was this reflection well written, it reminded me of my God given talents…it also made me laugh which is always a nice way to start the day.

    God bless!!!

  3. A very profound reflection John. Thanks for being real, the humour was greatly appreciated.
    Keep on using your ‘talent’ to serve others and gloryify God. God bless.

  4. Thank you John. You are a good and faithful servant! We appreciate your wonderful writing. I am about to go remake my bed. Peace with you.

  5. John – Thank you. Given that, according to scripture, the HUSBAND is the head, a more appropriate analogy, which is one that I use, is the husband is the CEO and the wife is the COO (Chief Operating Officer). While they work as a team, when an organization has both a CEO and a COO, it is the latter who runs the day-to-day operations (where as the CEO is more strategic). Because wives tend to be the ones who run the day-to-day operations at homes, I believe “COO” is more appropriate. The husband being the CEO keeps in line with what is said in scripture.

  6. Very enjoyable read John. Thank you for your time and talent.
    I have watched and seen your writing evolve since you began writing as a “sub” here at ACM. You are much appreciated.

  7. What a classic 😃 – suggestions from the master!! I enjoy your style of writing & God’s blessings for your talent in writing. I look forward to read your reflection & learn so much from it. Thank you & May God continue to shower His merciful blessings on you & your family.

  8. Ha ha ha!!! That’s a good one John… enjoyed that. To anonymous…the husband may be the head, but the wife is the neck!!!
    Thanks John for the reminder to use our God-given talents for the God’s glory. And believe me…we all have talents!!!

  9. Anonymous — Yes, that is what my wife says to me — I am the head and she is the neck! Hahaha! I am not sure that is appropriate because the brain is located in the head. However, while the CEO is the head, the COO executes and gets the day-to-day things done with independence!

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