Gospel Reading: Lk 19:11-28
While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’… Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ 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.’ ‘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.’ ”… After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS, MORE WILL BE GIVEN
The parable teaches Jesus’ disciples to work with what has been entrusted to them. The disciple who is diligent and productive will be given more responsibilities, while from the lazy one, the little he has will be taken away from him as a sign of judgment. When the parable is taken in the context of listening to Jesus, the message must be clear.
The more we listen to God, the more we will be given responsibilities, because we understand more. If we do not care to listen to his words, we will be stripped of our responsibilities no matter how small they may be. It is pitiful for a disciple not to be given any charge. Christians must be diligent in listening to the Lord and to his pastors.
They must cast their fears away and focus on giving quality service to the Church. It is embarrassing to be removed from office because of non-performance of duties.
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SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.