Thirty-Third Sunday Gospel Reflections A


Jesus said: "It will be as when a man who was 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.

Note that the Master did not dictate what they are to do. He trusts their good judgment.
Note also that the Master deals with each according to his/her abilities. Not giving more than the individual could handle.
A talent was a measure of weight by which other things like gold and silver were weighed. 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.

Do we show the same initiative and enthusiasm in the work of God? But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.
Where in our past have we acted as the third servant? 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.'
How do you feel about the Master’s response, namely, treating them equally? 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.'
Do you hear the self-condemnation of the third servant? How different will this scene be from the day of judgment before God? 

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 servant knew what he should have done but chose not to do it. Does that reflect anything in our present or past life? 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."
How faithful are we to both large and little things?
How conscious are we to the call to be a witness for Jesus in all things?
What is the lesson we can take from this and apply it to our own lives?