The coming of the Lord at the end of time entails on our part an accounting of what we shall have done with all the gifts and opportunities given us in our lifetime. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the joy accompanying the final accounting of responsible stewards.
Invaluable gifts
What must have been originally Jesus’ parable addressed to the religious leaders of His time about their responsibility in guiding the people has become an allegorical lesson to Christians about the accounts they would have to settle with the Lord at His second coming. The Master for His long absence following the ascension has entrusted His disciples with goods to be used profitably. A “talent” is a monetary unit of huge amount, equivalent to 6,000 denarii or drachmas. With a denarius as a day’s wage, a talent equals a lifetime’s wages. The servant who received five talents got enough for several lifetimes of earning.
The point is that the servants have been entrusted with invaluable gifts by their Master. Each received “according to his ability” enough capital to be made productive. Here, we realize that Jesus has, indeed, entrusted to His Church-community goods of incredible value: His Gospel, His sacraments, His own friends of outstanding merits like the saints, including Mary His own mother, and above all His greatest gift of all, the Holy Spirit. What do we do with them? What have we accomplished with them and through them?
Good and faithful servants
When the Master returned and settled accounts with His servants, His joyous recognition of the accomplishment of His responsible servant rang out in His “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” Wherein lies the good work of the faithful one? “You were faithful in small matters” —it is fidelity to the obvious intention of the Master that His goods be made productive and beneficial all around. Whatever amount one may have received more can and should be made out of it. It is irresponsibility to deviate from this purpose of the owner. Hence, the servant, who did nothing but dig a hole in the ground and bury the talent he was left with, got from the Master the response: “You wicked, lazy servant…. Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside!”
Yes, what have we been doing with the goods entrusted to us? Have we enterprisingly made more? They clearly are not for my personal benefit only. The good they do me should be multiplied by benefiting others, as well. What is for me is for them, too. I am given them ahead of others so that I can be as conduit to them. The goods given us are ministerial. They are not to be accumulated as though for one’s self solely, but rather to be husbanded and invested wisely and ingenuously to benefit as many as possible.
Alálaong bagá, a challenging statement from the Master: “To everyone who has more will be given and he will grow richer, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” The lazy servant, who earned nothing with what he has, wasted the talent and the time given him; he claimed to be paralyzed by his own fear of his Master, and ended up with that capital being taken away from him. He was not invited to share in his Master’s joy; he was thrown outside into the darkness of everlasting separation and regrets. In contrast, the eschatological glory is the “more” that the faithful, responsible servant will be given. For all the disciples who are wise administrators of the gifts entrusted to them, there can only be everlasting treasures in the love of the Lord. The invaluable capital entrusted to them will even be doubled, and they will, in fact, be asked to do more for more people and already now. The time before the return of the Lord is the time for active waiting, rich with opportunities for profitable investment of one’s talents and time.
Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.