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As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Sunday readings begin to focus on the coming of the kingdom and how we are to prepare for Christ’s return. This week the scriptures describe the virtues of the faithful disciple: the one who fears the Lord and clothes herself in wisdom and compassion, whose work is done with eagerness and diligence, and who stays alert for the coming of the Master.
This week’s parable follows last Sunday’s parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, in which there is a vivid portrayal of the difference between those who were well prepared and those who were not. This week we explore an expansion of this preparation for the coming of the Master. The story relates how a wealthy man, before leaving on a journey, entrusted his servants with differing amounts of money (talents). Each talent was equivalent to 6000 denarii, with one denarius being the usual daily wage. The first two servants, given five talents and 2 talents respectively, went off and doubled their master’s stake. The third servant, paralysed by fear of his master and the responsibility of taking care of his money, buried the talent entrusted to him. Had he invested it or deposited it into a bank, his stake would have increased. The Master, on his return, rightly praises the two wise servants for their work on his behalf and castigates the foolish servant for his inactivity.
Our responsibility as Christian disciples can be likened to that of the servants entrusted with the Master’s wealth. We are invited to be active participants in using God’s generous gifts to us, not to be hoarded away or buried, but to be exercised and used for the building of the kingdom, which is simultaneously here and yet to be realised. How are we preparing for the coming of our Lord? Are we clothing ourselves with wisdom, compassion, eagerness and joy as we strive to serve our neighbour and live the Gospel message? How are we sharing our gifts with others so that they too may benefit? The Gospel message in this parable is an uncomfortable one that challenges us about our failure, at times, to act. By our avoidance of getting involved, are we really living as Christ’s disciples or taking the safe and easier option?
This week’s Gospel is not concerned with the extent of the gifts given to each servant but how that servant uses the gifts wisely and increases them a hundredfold. Similarly, we are urged, as the community of Christ, to consider how all of our gifts are meant to be shared and used for the benefit of all, especially for those who are in most need of Christ’s love. Living out that message as described in the parable, requires trust and a measure of courage from us, because it means stepping out into an unknown future that is not controlled or dictated by us but left in God’s hands. We do not want to be like the foolish, fearful servant who is incapacitated by his own insecurity, but more like the servants who wisely made use of the gifts entrusted to them. As Christian disciples, we enter the future with hope because of the Good News that Christ brings us. May our hope, trust and courage help us prepare for and welcome his coming with eager anticipation. Our reward, hopefully, is to be welcomed with happiness ‘into the joy’ of our Master’s kingdom.
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