Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 2, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. After a long time, the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today is the second of three parables presented by Jesus to his disciples just before the Last Supper, his arrest, crucifixion, and death. The first was of the 10 virgins with their lamps and the third is of the judgment of the nations. The first speaks of the need to be vigilant, not knowing the time when we will need to account for ourselves to Christ. The final reminds us that whatever we do to the least of our sisters and brothers, we do unto the Christ. And in the middle is today’s parable of the talents. Knowing the context helps us to break it open.

We are prone to take the surface meaning of the word “talent” and build from there. While in the original text it referred to currency, we often take it to mean our God given gifts and talents which the LORD wants us to use or invest. In doing so, the gifts of the LORD are enhanced or enlarged. This makes sense until we reach Jesus’ teaching: “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” When we find this jarring, it is a sign to us to dig deeper, to look broader for the meaning.

So, we return to the context, this parable is one of three. The first speaks of the need for vigilance, the last for the need for love of one another because of our love for Christ. What is missing? Faith and hope. And then we remember Jesus’ parable of the sower and the fate of the seeds (Matthew 13). Those with little faith and hope, with shallow roots, are unable to flourish. What little is there initially is lost to the elements. But those with deeper roots, with more faith and hope, will flourish and produce fruit 100, 60 or 30 fold. Jesus is telling us that on our journey as His disciples we must be people of faith and hope. If our faith and hope is too shallow, it will not withstand the tests and trials of this world.

How does this pertain to us today?

This parable calls to us loudly in the modern moment. We will be tested on our journey. We must be vigilant as Jesus showed us through the parable of the 10 virgins with their lamps. We must be loving as Jesus calls us to be in the parable of the final judgment. And we must be people of firm faith and deep hope if we are to make this journey in Christ.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How deep is our faith in the LORD? How established and formed is our hope in the LORD’s promise?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come to You this day as your daughters and son, your disciples, seeking the grace to continue our journey to You and life with You in abundance. Stir up within us the faith and hope we need to remain on the path, to weather the storms, to overcome the obstacles, to withstand the ridicule of others. Grant that we may be vigilant, loving, faithful and hopeful every step of our way. Amen.