A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 19:11-28)
“And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'”
In today’s Gospel, as he approaches Jerusalem, Jesus tells those listening to him a parable about faithful servants and a rejected king. In telling the parable, he teaches about the importance of stewardship of God’s gifts, the use of one’s talents, and the reward that awaits the good servant. Those who are faithful in small matters, Jesus tells us, are faithful in large matters, responsible not only for individual growth of faith but for that of others. “Take charge of ten cities,” Jesus says in the parable in the words of the king, to the one who multiplied ten gold coins. Similarly, to the one who multiplied five coins, he said, “Take charge of five cities.” But to the one who hid his coin, unused, the king says, “But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” What are the unique gifts God gives each of us that we can use to draw others to him?
God, help me understand today’s Gospel and what the symbolism in the parable illustrates about you and your kingdom. The words of Jesus at the end of the parable, as the king addresses the ones who reject him, seem harsh and brutal: “bring them here and slay them before me.” Yet, your Son is just and always ready to extend mercy to those who seek him. The condemnation of the king, then, is not Jesus condoning violence and murder but is the result of the confirmed choice of the ones who reject him. Those who reject your Son’s authority and refuse to acknowledge him as their king make a momentous choice that has serious consequences. Lord, show me today the way to use joyfully the gifts you give as a means to tell of the glory of your kingdom.
From the responsorial psalm: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.” Saint Cecilia, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.