Father Alberto Reyes Pías, the parish priest of Esmeralda in Camagüey, recently shared his Sunday reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time with a probing question that, as he acknowledges, may be uncomfortable but is essential: "What are you doing with your blessings?"
The meditation begins with a simple object: a piece of pottery inscribed with "Count your blessings," gifted to him years ago by a lady. This item, always in his sight regardless of where he resides, serves as a constant reminder.
“Just by looking at it, two thoughts come to mind: firstly, how much I have to be thankful for, and secondly, a question,” writes Father Alberto Reyes. He then extends this question across various aspects of life: family, friends, talents, material possessions, and faith.
Reflecting on the Parable
Father Reyes grounds his reflection in the parable of the wicked tenants from the Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43. His analysis is clear: “The parable doesn’t say the tenants didn’t have fruits; it says they refused to hand them over. In fact, they kill the son to 'keep the inheritance,' to hoard the fruits they achieved thanks to the vineyard they were given.”
From this, Alberto Reyes poses a series of direct questions to the reader: what are you doing with the family you have been given, how do you care for your friends, how do you utilize your knowledge and skills, how do you manage your material goods, and finally, what are you doing with your faith, "that gift which allows you to view life differently."
Sharing Blessings
The priest concludes that blessings are not meant to be hoarded. "When blessings are cared for and shared, they grow, they become transferable gifts, they begin to impact the lives of others and transform us into a blessing ourselves."
This reflection comes at the end of a week marked by the priest’s active public presence. Last Wednesday, CiberCuba published the 177th installment of his weekly column "I've Been Thinking," titled "The Blessing of Persecution." In it, he argued that the sentence given to activist Anna Bensi and her mother by a Havana court had the opposite effect intended by the regime: fostering greater interfaith unity, public solidarity, and diminishing fear.
The day before, Father Alberto Reyes had stated that the hope for change among Cubans "has significantly declined" due to unmet expectations from earlier in the year following statements from the U.S. administration.
In the same interview, the priest was blunt about his views on political dialogue: "How is this government going to leave?"
The Sunday reflection published by CiberCuba this Monday takes, in contrast to those statements, a purely spiritual and universal tone, focused on personal responsibility regarding received gifts, without direct political references.
Father Alberto Reyes has been under pressure from the regime for months: in January 2026, State Security issued him a formal warning for his public criticisms, and in July, he was barred from traveling to Miami. However, this has not silenced him. Last September, in an interview with Tania Costa on CiberCuba, he stated that Cuba is "infinitely worse" than in previous crisis periods.
Understanding Father Alberto Reyes' Reflection
What is the main question Father Reyes asks in his reflection?
Father Reyes asks, "What are you doing with your blessings?" This question is meant to encourage reflection on how individuals use the gifts and opportunities they have been given.
What parable does Father Reyes use in his meditation?
Father Reyes refers to the parable of the wicked tenants from the Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43, drawing lessons about the misuse of blessings and responsibilities.
How has Father Alberto Reyes responded to pressure from the regime?
Despite formal warnings and travel restrictions imposed by the regime, Father Reyes continues to speak out publicly, criticizing the state of Cuba and advocating for change.