GOSPEL READING:
Luke 19:11-2811 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, `Trade with these till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came before him, saying, `Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 17 And he said to him, `Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, `Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19 And he said to him, `And you are to be over five cities.'
20 Then another came, saying, `Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, `I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, `Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25 (And they said to him, `Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26 `I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'" 28 And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Meditation: How does God establish his kingdom here on the
earth? The Jews in Jesus' time had a heightened sense that the
Messiah would appear soon to usher in the kingdom of God's
justice, love, and peace on the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). Jesus, in
fact, spoke in messianic terms of the coming reign of God. Perhaps
his entry into Jerusalem would bring about such a change and
overthrow of Roman domination.
Parable of the talents
Jesus speaks to their longing for a new kingdom in the parable of
a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom. The parable reveals
something important about how God works his plan and purpose with
his people. The parable speaks first of the king's trust in his
subjects. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use
as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was
obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be
industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to
them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful
and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his
money.
The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants'
conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the
master's money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who
buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in
the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey
natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey
economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master
expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money.
The Lord rewards those who faithfully use their gifts and
talents for doing good by giving them more
What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom
of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts
and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as
they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient
means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the
parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an
attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use
their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful
with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect
or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they
have.
The Lord expects us to be good stewards of the gifts and
graces he gives us
There is an important lesson here for us. No one can
stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or
we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip
back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces
he has given to you?
The Lord Jesus offers us a kingdom of justice, love, and peace
and he calls us to live as citizens of this kingdom where he rules
as Lord and Master. Through his atoning death on the cross and
through his resurrection victory, Jesus frees us from a kingdom of
darkness where sin and Satan reign. Through the power of the Holy
Spirit the Lord gives us freedom to live as his servants and to
lay down our lives in loving service of our neighbors (Galatians
5:1,13). Do you trust in God's grace to make good use of the gifts
and talents he has given you?
Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and mind and the master of my home and goods. Fill me with a generous and wise spirit that I may use the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom.
Psalm 17:5-8,15
1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
5 My steps have held fast to your paths, my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding your form.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Talents are divine gifts given to the faithful, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"To those who believe in him, the Savior distributes a variety of
divine gifts. We affirm that this is the meaning of the talent.
Truly great is the difference between those who receive the
talents and those who have even completely denied his kingdom.
They are rebels that throw off the yoke of his scepter, while the
others are endowed with the glory of serving him. As faithful
servants, therefore, they are entrusted with their Lord's wealth.
They gain something by doing business. They earn the praises due
to faithful service, and they are considered worthy of eternal
honors." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 129)
