Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheHem
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
“The parable of the Talents ‘primarily teaches that God’s gifts, of nature and especially of grace, are held in stewardship and must not be allowed to lie idle. They are to be used to further His kingdom. It emerges, secondarily, that the standard of God’s judgment is relative to the opportunities offered: ‘the greater the gifts, the greater the account demanded’ (Gregory the Great).” A Catholic Commentary On Holy Scripture, ed. Dom Bernard Orchard, Thomas Nelson, 1953].

The secondary meaning is beautifully explained by Fr Percy:
  1. “There is the emphasis on the ‘talent’, which is a measure of value.
  2. “The trading activity of the two stewards is important. Christ praises them for the energy, alertness, and perseverance they demonstrate in making a truly significant profit (they have doubled the original sum). There is a reference to accountability which is crucial to any business.
  3. “Then the nuanced criticism of fear: ‘I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground.’ This fear leads the lazy steward to avoid the risks and obstacles that are a key part of entrepreneurial work.
  4. “There is the clear reference to the financial system. The lazy steward at least could have placed the ‘money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.’ ”
“We can this affirm unambiguously that Jesus Christ ‘looks with love on upon human work’ and that the work of the merchant – the businessman or the entrepreneur – is one of the ‘different forms’ of work that is affirmed. The parable of the talents makes this clear by its reference to money, trading, risk taking and banking.”
Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition, Fr Anthony G Percy, Lexington Books, 2010, p 48-49].
 
I have understood the parable to be regarding the charisms (gifts/talents) we received at our Baptism. We are expected to use them to provide an increase (souls) when the master returns (Parousia). The slothful servant was earthy, rather than spiritual, denoted by his burying of his talent in the earth.
 
I love this parable.

I find it to be very motivating for me in my daily activities. It serves as a reminder that G-d gave me everything I have, including the shirt on my back. And it inspires me to do something to glorify Him each day.

I find this parable to be a wonderful teaching from Christ about how what we do with what we are given matters to Him.

Thanks for sharing

Peace in Christ
 
po18guy said:
I have understood the parable to be regarding the charisms (gifts/talents) we received at our Baptism. We are expected to use them to provide an increase (souls) when the master returns (Parousia). The slothful servant was earthy, rather than spiritual, denoted by his burying of his talent in the earth.
Click to expand...
TheHem said:
Given by Fr. Robert Schoenstene at Mundelein Seminary.

wordonfire.org/resources/article/the-parable-of-the-talents/4482/
Click to expand...
what, where is this bank that the ‘talent’ could have been put in.
 
OK, let’s postulate that we do not need to know what our charisms are and do not need to put them to work to provide an increase for the Master.
 
I think we should try to discern our gifts/charisms. This past weekend I attended a Called & Gifted workshop that is given through the Catherine of Siena Institute. I highly encourage to locate a workshop near you and attend. I’m so fired up and excited for what the Holy Spirit is doing in the body of Christ. 👍

siena.org/Called-Gifted/called-a-gifted
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top