The focus of the parable in this week’s reading is on the end of time and the question of how we have used our talents. Fr Adrian Graffy reflects.
Matthew 25:14-30
14 Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.
19 ‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” 22 Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” 24 Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he, “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; 25 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.” 26 But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? 27 Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. 28 So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. 29 For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’
Other readings: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31 Psalm 127 (128) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Reflection
This is a slightly shortened version of the parable of the talents. It comes in the last of the five major speeches of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. The focus is on the end of time and the question of how we have used our talents.
As we draw towards the end of the liturgical year these are the questions which the liturgy inspires. Next week we shall hear how the discourse continues with Jesus’ description of the judgement. Ultimately, we shall all be judged on love.
Am I grateful for the gifts and opportunities given me?
Do I use my talents, whatever they are, to live out the commandment of love?
We pray for acceptance of who we are and the generosity to give whatever we have.
We thank God for the example of self-giving of Jesus.
Rev Dr Adrian Graffy is a member of the Vatican Commission that takes a lead in Bible scholarship, interpretation and promotion in the Catholic Church.
Rev Dr Graffy said of his five-year appointment by Pope Francis in 2014: “It is an honour to be nominated by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. I feel humbled and very much look forward to being of service to His Holiness and the Church.”
He added: “A great deal has been achieved in England and Wales in recent years by many co-workers to advance Biblical scholarship and the provision of easy-to-use resources. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and the Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis for their efforts to promote understanding and love of the Bible, particularly through the publication of the teaching documents, The Gift of Scripture and the study guide to Verbum Domini, The Word of the Lord.”
Rev Dr Graffy received his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1983. He taught for over 20 years in St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, and is Chair of the National Scripture Working Group, which is an instrument of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Fr Graffy is a past director of Brentwood’s Commission for Evangelisation and Formation and parish priest of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park, Essex. Among his publications are the Gospel of Mark and the Letter to the Romans (Alive Publishing).
Listen to BBC Essex interview with Fr Adrian Graffy
Rev Dr Adrian Graffy is a member of the Vatican Commission that takes a lead in Bible scholarship, interpretation and promotion in the Catholic Church.