Sunday Lectionary: A Talent Worth Sharing

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 13, 2011

The readings this week continue with the theme of the Second Coming, particularly focusing upon how we should “spend” our time waiting for the Lord to return…

In the First Reading we hear praise of the “worthy wife”. She is holy, conscientious and industrious. In the Second Reading, St. Paul explains to the Thessalonians what we learnt in last week’s Gospel, that the Lord will come when we least expect, but also that He should find us ready. In the Gospel Reading this readiness is spelt out in concrete terms – we should be using our God-given gifts in the service of the Master. He will someday return and we shall be called to account concerning our stewardship of His gifts…

 

Reading I: Proverb 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Last week our First Reading was from the Book of Wisdom. This week our First Reading is from the very end of Proverbs, another book in the Bible’s collection of “Wisdom Literature”. Unlike the Book of Wisdom, the Book of Proverbs is accepted by non-Catholics as part of the canon of the Bible.

This is one of those passages which people love and hate. It paints a picture of womanhood which is both beautiful, intimidating(!) and some would say antiquated when compared to our modern notions of womanhood…

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Questions:

• What is the lesson for men in this passage?
• What is the lesson for women in this passage?
• For what is the “worthy wife” praised?
• What are we told is the true measure of a woman?
• In what way do her “works praise her at the city gates”?

Commentary:

“When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize”

The value of a truly virtuous, godly woman is beyond calculation. If you find such a woman hang on to her!

“She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life”

Her virtue brings blessing upon her husband.

“…distaff…”

This is a tool used in the spinning of wool and other fibres:

“She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle”

The ideal woman isn’t slothful, but industrious. This is the main link to the Second Reading and the Gospel Reading.

“Flax” fibres are turned into linen.

“She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy”

The worthy wife is a carer of the poor.

As an aside, the literary device of “parallelism” is used here – the same thing is said twice in slightly different ways. This is to emphasize the point being made and is a common technique used in wisdom literature.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”

This is the central measure by which a woman is to be measured. As men we judge a woman in so many different ways, but primarily through our perception of her physical beauty, using whatever standard of beauty is in vogue in society at the time. However, Proverbs is clear that physical beauty doesn’t last forever (it’s “fleeting”) and can often blind us to a woman’s character (it’s “deceptive”).

We are told that the ideal woman is one “who fears the Lord”. But what does this mean? The “fear” being described here isn’t the kind of fear which one would have for a mugger. To “fear of the Lord” is to have loving reverence for Him and to be in awe of His power and majesty. It is a realisation that God is God and we are not. It is to trust in Him and be obedient to Him. Earlier in the Book of Proverbs we read “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” – Proverbs 9:10.

Therefore, rather than “charm” or “beauty”, a man should look for a woman who is wise, virtuous and in right relationship with the Lord.

“Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates”

What is the reward here? Perhaps it is giving her the recognition that she deserves. Her works will “praise her at the city gates” when her husband is at the city gate with the rest of the men, singing the praises of his wife.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5

In the First Reading the “worthy wife” is praised. In this psalm we hear about the blessed man who, like the the “worthy wife”, is praised for “fear the Lord”.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.

Questions:

• To what does this psalm exhort us?

Commentary:

 “Blessed are those who fear the Lord”

As mentioned above, this is not cowering fear, but awestruck wonder and knowledge of one’s place in the grand scheme of things.

“Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.”

Fear of the Lord entails following his commandments and living in a way pleasing to him. Blessing comes from this.

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; Your children like olive plants around your table”

The psalmist is speaking to the men here and describing their home in agricultural terms. Blessing is described in terms of growth and fruitfulness, wine and oil.

“Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life”

The final line of the psalm re-affirms that these are the blessings for the one who “fears” the Lord.

God’s hand of blessing is seen as coming from Mt. Zion/Jerusalem where God’s presence dwelt in the Temple.

 

Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

Last week St. Paul reassured the Church at Thessalonica that those who have died aren’t going to miss Jesus, but that when Jesus returns the dead will rise first. In this week’s Reading he explains that, while waiting for the Second Coming, they should remain ready and watchful.

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security, “ then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief.  For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

Questions:

• What did Paul write about last week?
• What does he add to his teaching this week?
• Rather than sit around doing nothing, what does Paul tell the Thessalonians they should do while they wait for the Lord?

Commentary:

“Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come
like a thief at night”

Oh if Harold Camping, Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses took this verse to heart! Paul is clear – the Lord will come when we least expect it. We should be more concerned about how we live in the meantime rather than trying to work out when exactly it’s going to happen…

The phrase “times and seasons” is used in other parts of the Bible (Daniel 2:21, Acts  1:7) to refer to God’s predetermined dates concerning His kingdom.

The “day of the Lord” here is the day when Jesus will come again in judgement. Although this points to a specific point in the future, we participate in the “day of the Lord” each week in the liturgy of the Mass:

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” – John 6:54

…when we receive the Eucharist and receive the blessings/curses of Christ’s table:

“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.  For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. – 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

“the day…will come like a thief at night”

Paul is saying that it will happen unexpectedly and quickly.

“When people are saying, “Peace and security, ” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

Paul emphasises the lack of warning – it will come quickly, in the same way that labour pains inevitably come upon a pregnant woman.

I think there’s another image worth considering here concerning the pregnant woman…. When a woman is pregnant she knows that she will give birth, but not exactly when. Likewise, we know that Jesus will come, but we don’t know exactly when.

“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief…”

Although the date of Jesus’ Second Coming is unknown, Christians should not be caught off-guard because they should always be vigilant.

“For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness”

This is a Semitic idiom.  Someone is a “son of” something if they exemplify that quality. For example, someone who is considered wise may be referred to as “the son of wisdom”. In the above verse Paul is saying that Christians should not only “live in” the light, but they should “be” light.

Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober”

This is a perfect summary of the parable of the “wise virgins” from last week’s Gospel. Although Christians do not know when Jesus is coming back, it shouldn’t be a surprise, we should be ready! Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

As we approach Advent the theme of the Second Coming continues. This week Jesus focuses upon Christian stewardship…

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.'”

Questions:

• Who is the “man”?
• What is the “journey”?
• What are the “talents”?
• Who are “his servants”?
• Literally, what is a “talent”? What is it figuratively?
• What are we to understand by Jesus saying that “each [was given] according to his ability”?
• On what basis does the master judge?
• How do you respond to Jesus’ treatment of the servant who buried his treasure?
• If the Lord returned today, how would you feel about your talent investments?
• The general principal which Jesus expresses in this Gospel is one which He expresses many other times. Why do you think He does this repeatedly?
• What does it mean to “share in your master’s joy”?

Commentary:

“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”

The “man” here is Christ. He gives His gifts to us, his “servants”.

A “talent” is a unit of weight, about 75 pounds, and from this is derived a monetary amount of considerable value, about 6,000 denarii, approximately 20 years’ wages for a laborer. Putting this into today’s terms, if we assume that a man earns $8 an hour, works 40 hours a week, his yearly wage is approximately $15,000 per year. This means that a talent is about $300,000.

Figuratively the “talents” in the passage represent all our different, God-given skills and abilities. In fact, the modern meaning of the word “talent”, used to described someone’s abilities, comes from the spiritual interpretation of this parable.

A few things are worth mentioning about the talents in this passage:

1. The servants did not earn these talents. Rather, they were temporary endowments from from their master.

2. Each servant did not get the same amount of money. In the same way, each of us is blessed in different ways and to varying degrees.

“On coming into the world, man is not equipped with everything he needs… He needs others… The “talents” are not distributed equally. These differences belong to God’s plan, who wills that each receive what he needs from others, and that those endowed with particular “talents” share the benefits with those who need them. These differences encourage and often oblige persons to practice generosity, kindness, and sharing of goods; they foster the mutual enrichment of cultures” – CCC #1936-1937:

“I distribute the virtues quite diversely; I do not give all of them to each person, but some to one, some to others. . . . I shall give principally charity to one; justice to another; humility to this one, a living faith to that one. . . . And so I have given many gifts and graces, both spiritual and temporal, with such diversity that I have not given everything to one single person, so that you may be constrained to practice charity towards one another. . . . I have willed that one should need another and that all should be my ministers in distributing the graces and gifts they have received from me” – St. Catherine of Sienna

As we learnt the other week, with great power comes great responsibility…

“This lesson from this Gospel warns us to consider whether those who seem to have received more in this world than others, shall not be more severely judged by the Author of the world; the greater the gifts, the greater the reckoning for them. Therefore should every one be humble concerning his talents in proportion as he sees himself tied up with a greater responsibility”  – St. Gregory

3. Even though the second servant “only” gets two talents and the other “only” gets one, both of these servants received significant amounts. As noted above, a talent is approximately three hundred thousand dollars. From this we learn that even the least of God’s servants have been gifted abundantly. Even if we “only” have a single talent, the Lord has given us something of tremendous value.

“Then he went away…”

The journey that the master is going on represents the time between Jesus’ Ascension and…

1. …the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70

2. …His Second Coming

3. …the date of our own death

“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”

Here we read how each servant responded to what was given to him by his master. There is a marked difference between the responses. St. Peter would later write:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind…love each other deeply…offer hospitality… Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms…” – 1 Peter 4:7-11

“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them”

The master comes back and wants to see what each servant has done with his gifts. Likewise, when Jesus returns He will call us to account.

It is noteworthy that the master is away for a “long” time. We are still waiting for Jesus’ return.

“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.'”

The Master praises the servants to whom He gave the five and the two talents. These servants used the gifts given to them and served him diligently. St. Jerome makes an interesting point that both servants receive identical commendations:

“The servant who of five talents had made ten, and he who of two had made four, are received with equal favor by the Master of the household, who looks not to the largeness of their profit, but to the disposition of their will” – St. Jerome

For their diligence they are rewarded with even greater responsibilities and fellowship with their master.

“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.’ 

Oh dear… The servant who hid his talent isn’t doing well….

“To hide one’s talent in the earth is to devote the ability we have received to worldly business” – St. Gregory

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? 

The master condemns the servant for being slothful.

What are the motivations for the servant here? Was the servant motivated by fear? Was he insulted that others were given more?  In Luke’s Gospel there is a similar story where the servant appears to be motivated by envy. Was it really fair that the master should profit from his hard work? Was his perception of the master fair? Is he the kind of guy who “harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter”? How we view God will impact upon how we act. Is the master saying to the servant that if he was that kind of master shouldn’t the servant have done something?! There is something worse than failure…inaction. How many times do we try and justify ourselves by listing the things that we haven’t done (murdered, committed adultery, …) as though we should be congratulated for it?

“If you want to hear ‘well done’, then you better well do.” – Anon.

Either way, the servant decides to do nothing. He is unwilling to put his talent to use, to risk what the Master gave Him, and make him more money. The servant does nothing, not even the bear minimum!

“To offer excuses excusing sins…so that to slothfulness and idleness was added also the sin of pride. For he who ought to have honestly acknowledged his fault, and to have entreated the Master…, on the contrary [raises petty objections], that he did it with provident design, lest while he sought to make profit he should hazard the capital. “ – St. Jerome

St. Hilary saw the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles in this passage:

“This servant who has received one talent and hid it in the earth is the people that continue in the Law, who through jealousy of the salvation of the Gentiles hide the talent they have received in the earth” – St. Hilary

With regards to the references to “sowing…and reaping”, St. Jerome has an interesting interpretation:

“Also, by this which this servant dared to say, you reap where you sow not, we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers” – St. Jerome

“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.

Clinging to God’s gifts, not using them, burying them, hiding them from the world, will result in their loss.

And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”

This sounds very similar to the description of the person who turns up at the wedding banquet without a white robe and the foolish virgins who didn’t have oil for their lamps.

In this week’s Gospel we are told again to “Be Ready!” The Lord requires that we use the gifts He has given us. We are to use them in service of our neighbour and for His greater glory. We wait for the Lord’s return, but we do not wait idly.