Talents - Gifts of the new Kingdom
(Lk 19:11-28)
We all have unique strengths, qualities and inclinations. Each one receives prophetic gifts [even if only one] and can fit into ecclesial services.
Everyone - also the normally excluded, as Zacchaeus (vv. 1-10) - has an unparalleled wealth of resources that he can pass on, for the enrichment of the community.
Lk narrates this parable because he notes that some converts from his assemblies have difficulty unlocking themselves.
To tell the truth and in a clear way, between them arises a competition concerning the importance of the ecclesial tasks [it’s the Gospel sense of "talents according to ability" of the parallel text Mt 25,15].
Roles also threatened by the arrival and inclusion of pagans, less intimidated and more loose than the Judaizing faithful.
The resulting pique stiffens the inner atmosphere, accentuates difficulties in collaborating and exchanging skills, resources - enriching each other.
The very idea of God as lawgiver and judge (vv.21-22) led believers not to grow or transmit, but rather to lock themselves up and move away from the Father’s project.
To understand the meaning of v.22 where the King would seem to reiterate the petty idea of the lavative, just enter the question mark.
The original Greek codes had no punctuation:
«He says to him: From your same mouth I judge you, wicked servant! Did you know that I am a severe man, that I take what I have not deposited and that I reap what I have not sown?».
How to say: «But who taught you this, de-educating?!».
The Lord strongly reiterates that a deformed idea of Heaven can affect the bearing lines of personality and ruin people’s existence.
This is if they perceive Freedom and the risk of Love as being a fault and in any case a danger of sin that could lead them to no longer being "in God’s grace".
Instead, the Lord wants a Family, where no one is alarmed, or held braked, blocked, put in a hole.
He doesn’t want the conquests to scare us and hold us back.
Anyone who updates, confronts himself, is interested, and makes a contribution - without being overwhelmed by routine, fear, fatigue - sees his own human and spiritual wealth grow, flourish.
Conversely, no one will be surprised that less enterprising situations undergo further downturns and eventually perish without leaving any regrets (vv.24-26).
Jesus knew that even the norms were not enough «if we continue to think that the solution to current problems is deterrence through fear» (FT n.262).
The Lord in fact frequented the “outsides” to interest groups; and always He kept away from envious environments.
He acted laboriously, in «craftmanship» way (FT n.217) and put His face on it.
Did He have alternatives? Of course: not move Himself, do not guard the minimums, do not protect them, limit Himself, keep the mouth closed; eventually open it, but only to flatter the powerful and established.
It also applies to us: the game to downside, on the safe, atrophies personal and social life; does not make a new Kingdom grow - loses it.
[Wednesday 33rd wk. in O.T. November 20, 2024]
