Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 499
Lectionary: 499
It happened that
seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”
Responsorial PsalmPS 17:1BCD, 5-6, 8B AND
15
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be
full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
GospelLK 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.
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.
Meditation: "They
did not want me to reign over them"
How does
God establish his kingdom here on the earth? The Jews in Jesus' time had a
heightened sense that the Messiah would appear soon to usher in the kingdom of
God's justice, love, and peace on the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). Jesus, in fact,
spoke in messianic terms of the coming reign of God. Perhaps his entry into
Jerusalem would bring about such a change and overthrow of Roman domination.
Jesus speaks to their longing for a new kingdom in the parable of a nobleman
who went away to receive a kingdom. The parable reveals something important
about how God works his plan and purpose with the human race. The parable
speaks first of the king's trust in his subjects. While he goes away he leaves
them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings
attached, this was obviously a test to see if the king's subjects would be
faithful and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. Third, the
king rewards those who are faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and
who do nothing with his money.
The Lord
Jesus offers us a kingdom of justice, love, and peace and he calls us to live
as citizens of this kingdom where he rules as Lord and Master. Through his
atoning death on the cross and through his resurrection victory, Jesus frees us
from a kingdom of darkness where sin and Satan reign. Through the power of the
Holy Spirit the Lord gives us freedom to live as his servants and to lay down
our lives in loving service of our neighbors (Galatians 5:1,13). The Lord
entrusts us with his gifts and graces and he gives us freedom to use them as we
think best. With each gift and talent, the Lord gives sufficient grace and
strength for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows,
God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God
honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are
faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or
squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an
important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian
life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God
or we slip back. Do you trust in God's grace to make good use of the gifts and
talents he has given you?
"Lord
Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and mind and the master of my home and goods.
Fill me with a generous and wise spirit that I may use the gifts, talents,
time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom."
 Kings and Gold Coins |
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Wednesday of the
Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
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Father John Doyle,
LC
Luke 19:11-28
While they 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 person; 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
person, 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.´ ´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.
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega.
You have given me life and offer me eternal life with you. You deserve
my honor, gratitude and love, and yet you never impose yourself upon me.
Thank you for respecting my freedom so that I can offer myself to you. All
that I have is yours; I return it to you.
Petition: Lord Jesus, teach me to be patient and
persevering in using my talents to serve you and my neighbor.
1. Jesus, the King of Kings: Nowadays there is renewed interest in the
imminence of the Lord’s return in glory. Every Sunday when we recite the
Creed we attest to our faith that Christ “will come again to judge the living
and the dead.” But we also know that we do not know when it will be, as Our
Lord clearly states: “But about that day and hour no one knows” (Matthew
24:36). So what should we do in the meantime? The answer is very simple: Live
faithful to the values of Christ’s Kingdom and show that he is our King right
now. Are there any areas in my life where Christ is not ruler? Am I faithful
to my Christian commitments? Do I use my time well?
2. Earning One Gold Coin at a Time: In today’s parable each servant receives
only one gold coin, but some invest it better than others. There are some
gifts that God has given all of us in equal measure and some that we each
receive in varying degrees. At baptism we receive the gifts of faith, hope
and love in seed form, so to speak, and it is up to us to make sure they are
cultivated, irrigated and exposed to enough light so that they will grow and
bear fruit. These gifts of faith, hope and love are not given to us just for
rainy days or moments of trial, but rather to keep us focused on who we are
as children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Exercising these
virtues is like earning gold, one coin at a time. How often have I thanked
God for his gifts of faith, hope and love? Do I strive to grow in these
virtues by keeping my heart set on the things of heaven and through charity
towards my neighbor?
3. God’s Generosity: St. John reminds us that “God is love” (1
John 4:8). God’s essence is self-giving. The man who hid his coin could not
discover or fathom this reality, but the man who “spent” his gold coin found
this out as he was able to earn many more. Jesus tells us that “unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain”
(John 12:24). Later however a metamorphosis occurs which brings many new
grains of wheat into being. Jesus’ death on the cross is the perfect example
of the transformation of sacrifice and self-giving into fruitfulness. We
can’t have Jesus as our king unless we are willing to follow him on his
journey to Jerusalem and impending death. We have much to give up, but we
have so much more to gain by using our talents for the Kingdom.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I am sometimes afraid of what it
means to die to myself. Help me to use all of my talents for your kingdom.
Help me to realize that I have nothing to lose and everything to gain and to
take steps courageously to love you.
Resolution: As a way of showing my love for Jesus, today
I will practice patience with someone who annoys me.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, LUKE 19:11-28
(2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Psalm 17)
(2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Psalm 17)
KEY VERSE: "Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter" (v 17).
READING: As they neared Jerusalem, Jesus helped his disciples understand that, contrary to Messianic expectations of the day, he was not going to establish an earthly kingdom. By means of allegory, he taught them that his reign was a spiritual one. In the story, he told of a nobleman who went on a journey to secure the rights to his throne. In his absence, he put his servants in charge. On his return, the king demanded an account of each servant's stewardship. The reliable and productive servants were rewarded, while those who acted irresponsibly lost everything. In Jesus' death and resurrection, he also went to a "distant country" (v 12), but he will return with kingly power and divine judgment. At that time, each individual will be evaluated on how they used the gifts God gave them.
REFLECTING: Have I invested my time, treasure and talents in God's kingdom?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to use God's gifts with wisdom and foresight.
Lord, when your glory appears, my
joy will be full.
Jesus’ parables often teach us about seizing opportunity, accepting responsibility and remaining faithful and steadfast. In today’s parable, the servant, afraid of failing the powerful nobleman with his reputation for severity, does nothing with the money entrusted to him. It is his inaction rather than trying and failing that constitutes failure. The servant wastes the opportunity given to him and shows contempt for the trust bestowed on him. Jesus, giving his message of peace and salvation to his disciples, is asking them to do something with it. Not to store it up and keep it for themselves as they wait impatiently for God’s kingdom on earth, but to risk venturing out and sharing the Good News with others. That is how God’s word - shared imperfectly among people from community to community over so many years - finds us today.
November 15
Blessed Mary of the Passion
(1839-1904)
Blessed Mary of the Passion
(1839-1904)
Over the years Mary grew to understand how she could best serve
God.
Born
Helene de Chappotin de Neuville, she came from a distinguished French family in
Nantes. In 1860 she entered the Poor Clares, but poor health forced her to
leave the following year. In 1864 she joined the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix and
took the name Mary of the Passion. From 1865 to 1876 she worked in the Madura
missions in India. In 1877 she established the Institute of the Missionaries of
Mary, which became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (F.M.M.) in 1882 when
she adopted the Third Order Rule.
Mary was
still living when seven members of her community were martyred in the 1900
Boxer Uprising. In addition to caring for people afflicted with leprosy, her
sisters have served in education, social service, nursing and
catechetics—frequently with F.M.M.’s of other nationalities.
She was
beatified in 2002.
Comment:
Exactly what duties did God impose on Mary? Did he reveal to her precisely what work her sisters were to do? In prayer, Mary’s heart was purified, and she conformed even more to God’s ways. Prayer certainly led her to see ways of serving that she had not previously realized.
Exactly what duties did God impose on Mary? Did he reveal to her precisely what work her sisters were to do? In prayer, Mary’s heart was purified, and she conformed even more to God’s ways. Prayer certainly led her to see ways of serving that she had not previously realized.
Quote:
Mary once said, "I wish I had two lives: one with which I could always pray, the other, with which to perform all the duties God imposes on me."
Mary once said, "I wish I had two lives: one with which I could always pray, the other, with which to perform all the duties God imposes on me."
LECTIO: LUKE
19,11-28
Lectio:
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 19,11-28
Jesus said the following parable, because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and
there.
Accordingly he said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, telling them, "Trade with these, until I get back."
But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, "We do not want this man to be our king." 'Now it happened that on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made by trading.
The first came in, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has brought in ten." He replied, "Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities."
Then came the second, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has made five." To this one also he said, "And you shall be in charge of five cities."
Next came the other, "Sir," he said, "here is your pound. I put it away safely wrapped up in a cloth because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown." He said to him, "You wicked servant! Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew that I was an exacting man, gathering in what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest."
And he said to those standing by, "Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds." And they said to him, "But, sir, he has ten pounds . . ." "I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has.
"As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence." '
When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Accordingly he said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, telling them, "Trade with these, until I get back."
But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, "We do not want this man to be our king." 'Now it happened that on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made by trading.
The first came in, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has brought in ten." He replied, "Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities."
Then came the second, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has made five." To this one also he said, "And you shall be in charge of five cities."
Next came the other, "Sir," he said, "here is your pound. I put it away safely wrapped up in a cloth because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown." He said to him, "You wicked servant! Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew that I was an exacting man, gathering in what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest."
And he said to those standing by, "Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds." And they said to him, "But, sir, he has ten pounds . . ." "I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has.
"As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence." '
When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the parable of the talents, in which
Jesus speaks of the gifts that persons receive from God. All persons have some
qualities; they receive some gift or know something which they can teach to
others. Nobody is only a pupil, nobody is only a professor. We all learn from
one another.
• Luke 19, 11: The key to understand the story of the parable. To introduce the parable Luke says the following: “At that time Jesus went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and the disciples thought that the Kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there”. In this initial information, Luke presents three reasons which led Jesus to tell this parable: (a) The acceptance which is to be given to the excluded, referring to the episode of Zacchaeus, the excluded one whom Jesus accepts. (b) The getting closer to the Passion, Death and Resurrection, because he said that Jesus was near Jerusalem where shortly he would be condemned to death (c) The imminent coming of the Kingdom of God, because the persons who accompanied Jesus thought that the Kingdom of God would come later.
• Luke 19, 12-14: The beginning of the parable. “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds telling them, ‘Trade with these, until I get back’”. Some scholars think that in this Parable Jesus is referring to Herod who seventy years before (40 AD), went to Rome to receive the title and power of King of Palestine. People did not like Herod and did not want him to become king, because the experience that they had of him was one of commander to repress the rebellions in Galilee against Rome and it was tragic and painful. This is why they said: “We do not want this man to be our king!” To this same Herod they would apply the last phrase of the Parable: “As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence”. In fact, Herod killed many people.
• Luke 19, 15-19: The account given by the first employees who received one hundred silver coins. The story also informs that Herod, after having obtained the title of king, returned to Palestine to take over the power. In the Parable, the king called his servants to whom he had given one hundred silver coins to know how much they had gained. The first one came in and said: Sir, your talent has produced ten other talents. He replied, “Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities. Then came the second one, and said, ‘Sir, your talent has brought five other talents. To this one also he said, ‘And you shall be in charge of five cities’.
According to the story, Herod the Great and his son Herod Antipas, both knew how to deal with money and to promote the persons who helped them. In the parable, the king gave ten cities to the servant who multiplied by ten the talent he had received and five cities to the one who multiplied it by five.
• Luke 19, 20-23: The rendering of account by the servant who gained nothing. The third servant arrived and said: ‘Sir, here is your talent I put it away safely wrapped up in a cloth, because I was afraid of you, for you are an exacting man, you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown. In this phrase we have a mistaken idea of God which is criticized by Jesus. The servant considers God a severe master. Before such a God, the human being is afraid and hides himself behind the exact and poor observance of the law. He thinks that acting in this way, he will not be punished by the severity of the legislator. In reality, such a person does not believe in God, but believes only in self, in his observance of the law. He closes himself up in self; he draws away from God and is not able to be concerned about others. He becomes incapable to grow as a free person. This false image of God isolates the human being, kills the community, extinguishes the joy and impoverishes life. The king answers: Out of your own mouth I condemn you, wicked servant!” You knew that I was an exacting man, gathering what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest. The servant is not coherent with the image he had of God. If he imagined God so severe, at least he should have put the money in the bank. He is not condemned by God, but by the mistaken idea that he had conceived of God and which renders him more immature and more fearful than what he should have been. One of the things which has more influences in the life of the people is the idea that we have of God. Among the Jews of the line of the Pharisees, some imagined God as a severe judge who treated them according to the merit gained by the observance. That caused fear and prevented persons from growing. And above all, it prevented them from opening a space within themselves to accept the new experience of God which Jesus communicated.
• Luke 19, 24-27: Conclusion for all. “And he said to those standing by: Take the talent from him and give it to the man who has ten talents. And they answered: But, Sir, he already has ten!” I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more, but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has. As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence”. The man orders to take way the one hundred coins and to give them to the one who has one thousand, because “ To everyone who has will be given more, but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has“. In this last phrase is found the key which clarifies the Parable. In the symbolism of the parable, the silver coin of the king are the goods of the Kingdom of God, that is, all that which makes the person grow and which reveals God’s presence: love, service, sharing. Anyone who closes self in self out of fear to lose what he has, he will lose even the little that he has. Therefore, the person who does not think only of self, but gives himself/herself to others, will grow and will receive super abundantly, all that he/she has given and much more: “one hundred times more, a hundred fold” (Mk 10, 30). “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, anyone who has the courage to lose it, will save it” (Lk 9, 24; 17, 33; Mt 10, 39; 16, 25; Mk 8, 35). The third servant is afraid and does nothing. He does not want to lose anything and because of this he gains nothing. He loses even the little he had. The Kingdom is a risk. Anyone who does not run, runs a risks, he loses the Kingdom!
• Luke 19, 28: Return to the triple initial key. At the end, Luke closes this theme with the following information: “Having said these things Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem”. This final information recalls the triple key given at the beginning: the acceptance to be given to the excluded, the closeness of the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem and the idea of the imminent coming of the Kingdom. To those who thought that the Kingdom of God was about to arrive, the parable orders to change the way of looking, the vision. The Kingdom of God arrives, yes but through the death and the Resurrection of Jesus which will take place within a short time in Jerusalem. And the reason for the death and resurrection is the acceptance which Jesus gives to the excluded, for example to Zacchaeus and to so many others. He disturbs the great and they eliminated him condemning him to death, and death on the cross.
• Luke 19, 11: The key to understand the story of the parable. To introduce the parable Luke says the following: “At that time Jesus went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and the disciples thought that the Kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there”. In this initial information, Luke presents three reasons which led Jesus to tell this parable: (a) The acceptance which is to be given to the excluded, referring to the episode of Zacchaeus, the excluded one whom Jesus accepts. (b) The getting closer to the Passion, Death and Resurrection, because he said that Jesus was near Jerusalem where shortly he would be condemned to death (c) The imminent coming of the Kingdom of God, because the persons who accompanied Jesus thought that the Kingdom of God would come later.
• Luke 19, 12-14: The beginning of the parable. “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds telling them, ‘Trade with these, until I get back’”. Some scholars think that in this Parable Jesus is referring to Herod who seventy years before (40 AD), went to Rome to receive the title and power of King of Palestine. People did not like Herod and did not want him to become king, because the experience that they had of him was one of commander to repress the rebellions in Galilee against Rome and it was tragic and painful. This is why they said: “We do not want this man to be our king!” To this same Herod they would apply the last phrase of the Parable: “As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence”. In fact, Herod killed many people.
• Luke 19, 15-19: The account given by the first employees who received one hundred silver coins. The story also informs that Herod, after having obtained the title of king, returned to Palestine to take over the power. In the Parable, the king called his servants to whom he had given one hundred silver coins to know how much they had gained. The first one came in and said: Sir, your talent has produced ten other talents. He replied, “Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities. Then came the second one, and said, ‘Sir, your talent has brought five other talents. To this one also he said, ‘And you shall be in charge of five cities’.
According to the story, Herod the Great and his son Herod Antipas, both knew how to deal with money and to promote the persons who helped them. In the parable, the king gave ten cities to the servant who multiplied by ten the talent he had received and five cities to the one who multiplied it by five.
• Luke 19, 20-23: The rendering of account by the servant who gained nothing. The third servant arrived and said: ‘Sir, here is your talent I put it away safely wrapped up in a cloth, because I was afraid of you, for you are an exacting man, you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown. In this phrase we have a mistaken idea of God which is criticized by Jesus. The servant considers God a severe master. Before such a God, the human being is afraid and hides himself behind the exact and poor observance of the law. He thinks that acting in this way, he will not be punished by the severity of the legislator. In reality, such a person does not believe in God, but believes only in self, in his observance of the law. He closes himself up in self; he draws away from God and is not able to be concerned about others. He becomes incapable to grow as a free person. This false image of God isolates the human being, kills the community, extinguishes the joy and impoverishes life. The king answers: Out of your own mouth I condemn you, wicked servant!” You knew that I was an exacting man, gathering what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest. The servant is not coherent with the image he had of God. If he imagined God so severe, at least he should have put the money in the bank. He is not condemned by God, but by the mistaken idea that he had conceived of God and which renders him more immature and more fearful than what he should have been. One of the things which has more influences in the life of the people is the idea that we have of God. Among the Jews of the line of the Pharisees, some imagined God as a severe judge who treated them according to the merit gained by the observance. That caused fear and prevented persons from growing. And above all, it prevented them from opening a space within themselves to accept the new experience of God which Jesus communicated.
• Luke 19, 24-27: Conclusion for all. “And he said to those standing by: Take the talent from him and give it to the man who has ten talents. And they answered: But, Sir, he already has ten!” I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more, but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has. As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence”. The man orders to take way the one hundred coins and to give them to the one who has one thousand, because “ To everyone who has will be given more, but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has“. In this last phrase is found the key which clarifies the Parable. In the symbolism of the parable, the silver coin of the king are the goods of the Kingdom of God, that is, all that which makes the person grow and which reveals God’s presence: love, service, sharing. Anyone who closes self in self out of fear to lose what he has, he will lose even the little that he has. Therefore, the person who does not think only of self, but gives himself/herself to others, will grow and will receive super abundantly, all that he/she has given and much more: “one hundred times more, a hundred fold” (Mk 10, 30). “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, anyone who has the courage to lose it, will save it” (Lk 9, 24; 17, 33; Mt 10, 39; 16, 25; Mk 8, 35). The third servant is afraid and does nothing. He does not want to lose anything and because of this he gains nothing. He loses even the little he had. The Kingdom is a risk. Anyone who does not run, runs a risks, he loses the Kingdom!
• Luke 19, 28: Return to the triple initial key. At the end, Luke closes this theme with the following information: “Having said these things Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem”. This final information recalls the triple key given at the beginning: the acceptance to be given to the excluded, the closeness of the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem and the idea of the imminent coming of the Kingdom. To those who thought that the Kingdom of God was about to arrive, the parable orders to change the way of looking, the vision. The Kingdom of God arrives, yes but through the death and the Resurrection of Jesus which will take place within a short time in Jerusalem. And the reason for the death and resurrection is the acceptance which Jesus gives to the excluded, for example to Zacchaeus and to so many others. He disturbs the great and they eliminated him condemning him to death, and death on the cross.
4) Personal questions
• In our community, do we try to know and to value and
appreciate the gifts of every person? Sometimes, the gifts of others cause jealousy
and competitiveness in others. How do we react?
• In our community, is there a space where persons can show or manifest their gifts?
• In our community, is there a space where persons can show or manifest their gifts?
5) Concluding prayer
Praise God in his holy place,
praise him in the heavenly vault of his power,
praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for all his greatness. (Ps 150,1-2)
praise him in the heavenly vault of his power,
praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for all his greatness. (Ps 150,1-2)
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