Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - St. Elizabeth of Hungary
[Revelation 4:1-11 and Luke 19:11-28]"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." [Luke]
There is an expression in our modern parlance: "Use it or lose it!" This expression came to mind with the parable in today's gospel scripture! The Gospel of Luke is not only interested in economic matters (the dangers of wealth and Jesus' use of economic images and parables), but, more importantly this gospel is missionary oriented. Getting the message out is far more important than worrying about when the world is going to end. The first couple of lines of today's gospel tell us that Jesus preaches the parable about the three servants and the coins not because he believes in capital investment but because the gospel is a sacred trust that is meant to be shared and not hoarded! The third servant who wraps the coin in a cloth and hides it suffers the loss of everything. The gospel message of Jesus is meant to engage with the world and to grow, not to be hidden as a special treasure for an elite group or a frightened group. Nor is this a matter of how one uses one's personal "talents," as the use of a monetary unit in Matthew's version of this parable (Matt. 25:14-20) is misappropriated (for a good purpose, I know) by some preachers! The "second volume" of the Gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, provides ample context for today's parable. The disciples are not told to get ready for the end of the world, but to get ready for the coming of the Holy Spirit that will enable them to preach the message to the world! That same Holy Spirit is at work within each of us who have been baptized and made a part of Jesus' priestly, prophetic and royal ministry. We have been entrusted with the word of God. We must use it or lose it! AMEN
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