Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 20, 2024

Date: Wednesday of the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately.

So, he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading.

The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today brings us Jesus’ familiar parable of the talents from the Gospel of Luke. We learn two things from the parable. First, we learn that what our LORD and Master gives to us we are to use, to invest. We are not to hide it away. The more we use the “talents” given us by the LORD in faith, hope and love, the more we will have. But if we hide the gift, we will lose it. Second, we learn that those who reject Christ will suffer the consequences, losing “life” promised us by our LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How well have I discerned the LORD’s gifts to me? How well am I using them for love of the LORD and service to the LORD and my sisters and brothers?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to dwell among us as our brother and to show us the way, to reveal to us the truth, and to open for us life in abundance through his selfless sacrifice upon the cross, according to your will, to redeem us of our sins. You give to each of us purpose and “talents” to use on our journey here on earth. Send your Spirit to inspire us to live as You desire and as your beloved Son called us to live. Grant that we may use our lives and our gifts in loving service to You and to our sisters and brothers and that our lives may bring You glory. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.