The Parable of the Talents.
"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 received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.
"Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
"But the man who 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 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.’
"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 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.’”
(Matthew 25: 14 - 30).
Sunday November 19th 2023 in the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time.
The third servant who made no returns on his investment says: ‘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.’"
This servant provides us the interpretative key for the Parable: Hiding or Burying the Master's talent is what many people do. This unproductive servant may argue that he acted out of abundance of caution.
+Hear the word of the Lord you Bishop who fail to speak truth to power or correct your priests.
+Hear the word of the Lord, you scholars who fail to teach but indulge in empty speculations.
+Hear the word of the Lord you priests and deacons too lazy to prepare a homily.
+Hear the word of the Lord you catechists who turn your classes into storytelling sessions.
Every day is for the Thief. But one day is for the Owner of the House.
Wake up now all you who bury the talent of the Lord before it is late.
November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY.
““I come to tell you that they suffer in Purgatory, that they weep, and that they demand with urgent cries the help of your prayers and your good works. I seem to hear them crying from the depths of those fires which devour them: ‘Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives how great the evils are which they are making us suffer. We throw ourselves at their feet to implore the help of their prayers. Ah! Tell them that since we have been separated from them, we have been here burning in the flames!’” (St. John Vianney).
For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html
