GOSPEL POWER - NOVEMBER 18, 2020 WEDNESDAY - 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 19:11-28 (or Mt 14:22-33) 

Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them – bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’” After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Reflection:

Luke’s version of the Parable of the Talents has the added feature of an explicit command by the nobleman to his servants as he distributed the gold coin: “Engage in trade with these until I return.” Therefore, what one does with the gold coin is not a matter of personal whim, for the will of the owner is clear—the coin must be put to productive use. Failing to comply with this will not only be charged as laziness or lack of initiative, but outright disobedience. Even fear is a lame excuse. Our talents are given us as a trust, in view of the attainment of God’s purposes. Using them is not merely an option but an obligation, whose fulfillment will make our life meaningful. Inaction is a gesture of disobedience and a willful non-participation in God’s project. Its implications are eternal.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to invest our talents where they can best serve the interests of the Kingdom. Amen.