Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Complete Homily Transcript:

This parable as reported by Matthew has some powerful images that have influenced our thinking and our language profoundly. The word talanto or (talanta) in the Greek of the New Testament writers, represented, according to some scholars, fifteen years' wages of one person's labor. Somewhere else it says that it was worth $1,000. In any case—it’s a lot!

So, for his time, Jesus uses an exorbitant amount to denote the gift of the master to his servants. Throughout the centuries the meaning of the word “talent” has taken on attributes of ability and giftedness, concepts fully justified by this story. The servants had done “nothing special” to deserve this much money; it was given to them freely. Talent is given to people without any prior activity that shows they deserve it.

We describe wonderful singers, writers, actors, or painters as "people of talent." "Oh," we say when we hear a lovely voice, "she is very talented!" Or, when someone doesn't measure up, we say with regret, "He never lived up to his talent."
Talent has come to mean “a special gift”, something one was born with.
We praise them--if they live up to their talents. They had the “gift,” but hard work and perseverance on their part caused the “gift” to become a giver. These people are the delight the rest of us. Their gift ---when shared- becomes a gift to us also.

The story Jesus told here has some “mystifying aspects”, probably because we don't know how much Matthew altered the original story, nor do we know exactly whom Jesus meant with the example of the unused talent - probably the Jews of the day who were Matthew's chief concern. But the heart of the story is as vital today and as true as it was when Jesus first told it. The ‘gift of talent’ is a great trust. Some people are more talented than others just as some people are more pleasing to the eye than others. Throughout the ages, much has been expected of talented people. Those who are given the “talents,” the trust, have a great responsibility - to use them for growth and for good. Others, because of laziness and indifference, do nothing with the gifts they were born with. They squander them or hide them just as the third servant did in the Gospel story.

Another “message of the parable” is that we should not ignore the gifts of the Spirit; that we should not treat the gifts of faith, of liturgy and worship, of service and compassion with sloth or indifference. Notice the words of Zephaniah when he says of God, "I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs…" God expects us to take the “talents” given to us and use them to their fullest worth. All of us have “gifts” of TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE- which we can offer to God and the service of his Church.

We cannot “hide” our gifts from God. Faith that is hidden, that does not result in “acts of devotion” and service, and the joyful giving of our money and abilities--is like the “buried talent.” Jesus knew that the price of “complete devotion” to God could result in death. Yet, he did not waste a minute of his years of service on this earth. In his love for us, he tells us in the parable that he expects the same from us. He is willing to wait a long time. Notice how it says that the master stayed away "a long time." That means that we are given repeated opportunities not to squander our talents.

When St. Paul calls the Thessalonians "children of light and children of the day," he is not talking to lazy, uncommitted Christians. He is talking to people who were honoring the talents entrusted to them by loving God and serving one another. He reminds them lovingly, "… therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing…"
We all long for praise and approval. But no words from strangers or friends compare to the words of the “master” when he says to us: "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."

In today’s parable, the question is NOT whether using our resources for God’s Kingdom gives US fulfillment or makes us PROSPER – spiritually or materially. The emphasis is on obedience toward the Master—believing that Jesus’ enterprise—is the one to put our money on—and acting accordingly. This parable is not ALL about the “stewardship of money” – it’s about our stewardship of “the Good News of Jesus Christ.” It asks: “What are you going to do with your faith? Are you just going to “sit on it”? Bury it in a hole in the ground? What are you afraid of?

The parable reminds us that there will be a “day of reckoning.” Remember the words of Scripture: “From everyone to whom much is given, much will be expected.”
Here is another way to ‘step out in faith’: go to some of your friends and invite them to come to church with you some Sunday. That is “really risky”—because you might get labeled as “religious” ------- But that’s OK. You’re doing this in faith---investing what God has given you. And the potential reward is great!! AMEN.