As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten gold coins, and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, “Lord, your gold coin has made ten more gold coins.” He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your gold coin has made five gold coins.” He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your gold coin. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” He said to the bystanders, “Take the gold coin from him and give it to the one who has ten gold coins.” (And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten gold coins!”) “I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’ (Luke 19: 11-28)
As
I pondered the parable in this Gospel reading, I had to stifle the urge to
revert to the more familiar, parallel version that tells of the talents. This
account is different. Similar to the parable of the day laborers (Cf. Mat. 20:
1-16) who are hired at different hours of the day, each servant in this parable
is given the same amount, one gold coin. Each is instructed to use the amount
as seed-money to start an enterprise for the building up of the kingdom. It is
important to note that they are not commanded to produce a profit, but only to
work with the money they were given. Their guide throughout this enterprise is
to be their dedication to the King. Knowing that they are loved and trusted by
the King, they should proceed without fear.
Each
character in the parable was given the opportunity to make decisions concerning
how each would serve the kingdom. Having decided, each was then held
accountable for his subsequent actions. Until the Master’s return, each servant
had to live out the challenge of building up the kingdom drawing upon his
abilities, skills, and values. The King provided each servant with the tools to
start his venture, it was up to them to use productively that which was given
them. They had nothing to lose. They had the opportunity of their lives to
experiment with whatever they dreamed of doing. Only fear of failure could
hinder their progress. I am reminded of a commitment made by St. John Paul, “Do
not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and
let down your nets for a catch.” The King had no doubt that his servants had
the capability of performing well and expected them to know that about
themselves.
The
parable tells us that this is a time to try something new, using the gifts that
we have been given for the building up of the kingdom. This is not a time to be
ashamed of the Gospel, but to lovingly and courageously plant the seed of the
Good News in the hearts of all we meet. By using the gifts we have been given,
we will contribute to the building up of the Kingdom. Like the servants in the
parable, this is our responsibility until that day when the Master returns.
The parable reminds us that to do nothing is to betray
the trust God has put in us. Having been gifted by God for the service of the
Kingdom, we can confidently trust God to bring our meager efforts to fruition.
It is our choices and not our successes that will matter when the King returns.
The prominent abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison stated it this way. “The
success of any great moral enterprise does not depend upon numbers.” Because
God has furnished us with all that we need to carry out His will, He expects us
to act accordingly. Cooperating with the graces that God has given us, it is up
to us to make appropriate choices. Living out God’s will requires us to take
risks of failure. No matter what the cost, we must not be afraid to serve
Christ and His Gospel.
As
a closing reflection on the condemnation of those who refused to accept the
authority of the king I would like to offer this quote from the Great Divorce
written by C. S. Lewis. “There are only two
kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done,"
and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that
are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No
soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who
seek find. Those who knock it is opened.”
--Father Jerome Machar, OSCO
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