Ordinary Time - Week 33a
Parable of the Talents
(From Conversation with God, Fernandez Carvajal)During these final weeks of the liturgical year, the Church calls us to consider the eternal truths. These truths are of immediate relevance to our souls. As we read in the Second Reading of today's Mass, our encounter with the Lord will arrive without warning, like a thief in the night. No matter how prepared we think we are for its arrival, death always takes us by surprise.
In today's Gospel the Lord teaches us that we must spend our earthly life in such as way as to win Heaven. Jesus compares our time on earth to a long-term leasing arrangement. For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The owner knew the capacity of each of his servants. He did not want to burden every one of them with the same responsibility. That would have been unjust. He therefore gave according to each one's capability to receive. Despite the different amounts allotted to them, each servant had been entrusted with a considerable sum. After some time had passed, the master returned from his travels and came to settle accounts with his men. The servant with five talents produced five talents more. In like manner, the servant with two talents had doubled his share. These servants had made good use of their time to yield additional earnings. Consequently, each one thoroughly deserved these wonderful words of praise and blessing from their lord: Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.
The meaning of the parable is crystal clear. We are the servants. The talents are the qualities God has bestowed on us - our intelligence, our ability to love, our power to make others happy, temporal goods. The journey of the master signifies the duration of our life. His unexpected return signifies our death. The settling of accounts is our judgment. The banquet is Heaven. The Lord frequently reminds us in the Gospels that we do not own what we have. We are stewards entrusted with God's property. A day will come when we shall have to give an account of our behaviour. Let us examine our whole approach to the gifts we have received from God. Do we think of ourselves as stewards, or do we live under the illusion that we are the true owners of what we possess?
We might want to reflect on our attitude towards our body and senses. Do we really use them so as to give glory to God? Do we contribute to the common good with our belongings, our professional work, our friendships? The Lord wants to see that his gifts have been well administered. His reward is in direct proportion to what he has already granted us. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.
Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little. This is what the lord said to the man who received five talents. What men may see as much, God views as little. Enter into the joy of your master - this outcome is what God sees as valuable. What no eye has seen, nor ear heard nor the heart of man conceived, is what God has prepared for those who love him. We surely want to be found vigilant when the Lord arrives. Nothing could be more important. Let us make use of the time we have to make ready.