33rd Sunday OT A: The Parable of the Talents

Mediocrity and sloth have no place among the those destined to share in the Lord’s joy. Faith exerts itself in deeds of generous service; it is faith’s response to the Lord whose generosity and love cannot be outdone. The parable of the talents as found in Matthew 25:14-30 is a parable about loyalty and industry; it is about responding well to a trust given and to a project shared. Augustine once wrote that “you are God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.” It is an idea that John Paul II describes with the notion that every life is a project shared with God. The parable of the talent is both an encouragement and a warning. It is encouragement because it assures us that no sweat and tears poured in the service of the Lord will be without its reward. It is a warning because with stark imagery it shows us the fate of those who do not invest their talents for His service.

Relevant Links

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Sunday Thoughts: Sunday 33 OT A: The Parable of the Talents
The Parable of the Talents

Guide For Reading

1. Read the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and notice the following:
   1. The parable begins with the phrase “It will be as when…” To what does “it” refer to?
   2. There are three servants involved but all can be classified into two groups. How would you characterize each group and which servants fall under which group?
   3. There is an inequality in the distribution of the talents. What is the basis for the distribution?
   4. The last servant accuses the master of being harsh. How true is this evaluation?
   5. Which group of servants were praised? Why?
   6. Why was the last servant excluded from the master’s joy?
   7. The “talent” referred to here is money. How much is it worth?
2. From what you’ve read from the Gospel of Matthew, explain the following statements
   1. To him who has more will be given; to him who has not, whatever he has will be taken away
   2. Where there is wailing and grinding of teeth
3. Read the parable in context
   1. How does the parable of the talents compare with the preceding parable of the ten virgins? with the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants (cf. Matthew 24:45-51)?
   2. How does the parable relate to what Jesus has been doing since he entered Jerusalem and caused the disturbance at the Temple?

Comparing the Readings

The selection from Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31 is about the ideal wife. The main reason why it was chosen for the day’s liturgy is because of the theme of fidelity and loyalty to the Lord that is expressed in dedication to service. The ideal woman described in Proverbs in this light, would be the Church, the Bride of Christ and mother of all Christians. On the otherhand, the selection from Paul, taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 sets the tone for the eschatological theme of the Gospel reading from Matthew. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to be ready for the Day of the Lord which comes like a thief.¹ “Be sober and alert” says Paul like those who await their Lord at night, when all the rest is in darkness. To be awake and alert is proper to the children of light. What does being awake and alert mean? The parable of the talents gives us the answer. We are awake and alert when we continue to do what the Lord wants us to do with the gifts he has given us.

Suggestions for the Lesson

Keep in mind that the 33rd Sunday is the last Sunday before the Solemnity of Christ the King, the end of the liturgical year. Following the feast of Christ the King is Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year. So the 33rd Sunday must be filled with anticipation of the what is made present (re-presented) in the Feast of Christ the King, the fulness of the reign of God in Christ. That reign, however, brings also with itself the judgment of all and the vindication of the just. Judgment and vindication are two sides of the same coin. When evil men are placed under judgment, it is when the just find their vindication. The parable of the talents focuses on reward and punishment. But it would be well not to speak of the reward of the just and the punishment of the wicked as if it will happen somewhere else. Instead, the theme of the present Sunday may as well be an opportunity for the pastor to give encouragement to groups found in his parish who have been giving witness to the faith even, at times, with difficulty, like

1. parents who have been exerting a lot of effort in bringing up their children in the faith
2. the religious (especially the nuns) who have been doing their part in animating parish groups even if their work goes oftentimes unappreciated
3. young people who sacrifice their time and talent in pushing through certain projects entrusted to them, even at times foregoing certain valid pleasures
4. the members of the different organizations who actively help the pastor administer to the needs of the parish
5. and others whom the parish priest remembers…

As for those who like the servant who hid his talents, no words are necessary, since it is doubtful whether they too will be present in the Sunday assembly of the faithful.