When we think of the word talent, we think of our gifts, so naturally, when we read this passage from Matthew we hear Jesus challenging us, in an indirect way, to use our gifts. Ah, how presumptuous we can be! The word talent derives its meaning because of this gospel passage. This calls us to look at it more closely.
A talent in first century Palestine was fifty pounds of silver, or fifteen years’ wages for a working man. The master gave each of his servants a lot of money. Servants usually didn’t get anything, but here was a master giving them lots. Now we can get into the story. Firstly, if we are given lots, lots will be expected. Secondly, what do these ‘talents’, this money, represent? We could simply take it as natural abilities that we all have to greater or lesser extent. It is our duty as humans to develop and use these gifts. However, there is something that is not given to all humans, or which many people leave dormant, that blitzes money and natural ability. The key to this story is faith. Faith is on the one thing, common to all of us here today, that can change us and our world.
When the parable is considered in this way, the conclusion, which I have always seen as a bit harsh takes on a new meaning. When we co-operate with the grace of God, we progress along the way of perfection. If we are able to recognise and then utilise the gifts given to us, our faith will animate our lives, in turn encouraging greater gifts to emerge in our lives and the lives of those whom we touch. Thus to those who have will be given more, because they are able to see what they have, be thankful for it and then be open to accepting even greater gifts. It is not matter of favouritism but recognition.
That is where the first reading can inform our discussion. I would not be surprised if most of us listened to it cringing, or dismissed it as outdated sexist garbage. Both of these reactions are valid, but they miss the point. Thank God we are not fundamentalists in our interpretation of scripture. We believe that the scripture needs to be interpreted through the lens of the prevailing culture at the time. Women were possessions, taken for granted, and used accordingly. It was a very wise man who actually stoped for long enough to consider the benefit of having such a person in his life. The book of proverbs showcases such a man. This is someone who will be able it appreciate the talent around him and use it for the common good. This is radical, as it proposes trust and freedom of expression, the same liberties God gives to those he created. The perfect wife uses these liberties to share in what her hands have worked for and let here works tell her praises at the city gates.
God allows us the freedom and allows us the same choice. We can use the opportunities and gifts given to us to let our faith hope and love soar and grow, or we can hold them so closely that we will stifle them, just as the servant did with his one talent. If we allow ourselves and our faith to soar, there will be no great surprises in life and we will not fear about the future, for we will be, in the words of St Paul, sons and daughters of the light and of the day.
Homily 13th November 201,1 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time year A
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