SUNDAY SERMON: What God demands from each one of us

In the parable of the talents, the master goes on a long journey and returns after many years. Before leaving, he gives each servant gold coins. They are supposed to do business and make more money.

In theory, they will have to give the master all they earn from the business they do while he is away. As it turns out, they get to keep all of it— both the initial investment and the earnings. Even then, they know they will have to give an account to the master when he returns.

The master is a symbol for the Lord Jesus returning at the end of time for the Last Judgement. The need to render an account is a symbol for the way every man and woman will be judged according to their deeds.

What does the money symbolise—in the first case, five gold coins; in the second case, two gold coins; and in the third case, one gold coin?

TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATIONS

One of the traditional interpretations is to connect the gold coins with gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians receive the “five talents”, like St Paul the Apostle, or, to choose a modern-day example, Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Some Christians receive the “two talents”. These often end up being religious leaders— “teachers”, as St James puts it: “Only a few of you, my brothers, should be teachers, bearing in mind that we shall receive a stricter judgement.” Finally, many Christians receive the “one talent”.

These also play an important role in the Church even though their responsibilities are commonplace. Think, for instance, about the man who is called to be a good husband to his wife and a good father to his children.

In the parable, the servant who received the one talent talks about fear. He says to the Master: “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.”

God does not want us to be paralysed by fear. The master condemns the servant for being afraid because his fear became an excuse for laziness.

The master says: “You wicked and lazy servant!” He then orders the guards: “Take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents.”

What is the purpose of our life in this world? To work for God. He forgives sins, even the worst sins. But he is demanding with those whose sins he has forgiven—demanding for our own good: “To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough.”