Living Catholicism: "The Talents Are the Truth, Who is Jesus": A Reflection on Living the Faith

« Missing the Big Picture: Online Rent-A-Priests | Main | Catholic Carnival 84: Getting the Number Correct »

September 5, 2006

"The Talents Are the Truth, Who is Jesus": A Reflection on Living the Faith

The following is a reflection taken from the Spetember issue of the Magnificat. Enjoy!

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (25:14-30)

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 receive five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man 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 receive 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 then. 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.’”

The Talents Are the Truth Who is Jesus

Jeremiah had said: “The word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say,’ I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire” (Jer 20:8-9). It seems to me that we must ultimately understand the parable of the fearful servant also from this perspective; he hid his master’s money because he was afraid that he might not be able to give it all back, instead of investing the money, like the other servants, so that it would increase. The “talent” that is given to each of us, the treasure of the truth, must not be hidden; it must be spent boldly and courageously, so that it will take effect and (to change the metaphor) permeate and renew humanity as leaven. Today we in the West are busy burying the treasure –out of cowardice when faced with the challenge of investing it in this tumultuous period of history, and perhaps thereby losing something (which is sheer lack of faith), and also out of laziness. We bury it, because we ourselves do not want to be illuminated by it, either –because we would like to lead our own lives, untroubled by the burden of this responsibility. But the gift of the knowledge of God, the gift of his love, which looks upon us in the wounded heart of Jesus, should urge us on, so that all the ends of the earth might see the saving power of God (Isaiah 52:10; Psalm 98:3).

POPE BENEDICT XVI

In Christ,
Joe

Posted by jay at September 5, 2006 2:44 PM