Contents
Introduction
As I noted in last week reflection, the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew contains at least three interesting and surprising episodes. Interesting and surprising because they concern the events of afterlife, and Jesus appears to be speaking differently. The first episode is about the wise and foolish bridesmaids (Matt 25:1–13); the second is the Gospel reading of this Sunday concerning our various talents and how we use them (Matt 25:14–30); and the third episode is the event of the D‑Day, the separation of the sheep from the goats (Matt 25:31–46). The story of the talents is a continuation of the elaboration on the nature of the kingdom of God. With the conclusion of the ten bridesmaids to keep awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour of the coming of the bridegroom (Matt 25:13), Matthew 25:14 indicates the beginning of a new episode. The story of the talents clarifies further the concept of the story of the ten virgins. It is about managing my talent. And what do we see as talent? As R. Dravid observes, “I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I have made the same mistake myself. We judge talent by people’s ability to strike a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing. That’s the only thing we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament, these are also talent.” The kingdom of God implies and involves accountability.
Reflecting on ‘talent’
Continuing his teachings on the kingdom of God, Jesus told his disciples that God’s kingdom could be compared to a man, who “going on a journey, summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them” (Matt 25:14). Generally, especially in the Septuagint (LXX) and in the Christian (New) Testament usage, ta hyparchonta (what one has at one’s disposal, someone’s property, possessions, what belongs to someone, means, resources) as substantive, is used with the possessive genitive. This is the form found in Matthew 25:14 for ‘his property’ (cf. also Matt 19:21; 24:47; Luke 11:21; 12:33). Verse 15 of the same chapter lists how this man distributed his property. According to the text, “to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away” (Matt 25:15). The Greek word talanton (talent) is a monetary unit whose value differs considerably from place to place. However, within the Christian Testament period, a talent it was a unit of monetary computation and equaled 5,000−6,000 drachmas or denarii (singular, denarius). The denarius is the Roman silver coin, the equivalent of 14 cents, and the one-penny of the Christian Testament. The “ten thousand talents” mentioned in Matthew 18:24 is a hyperbole, denoting incalculable debt. This was why the king ordered the servant who owed him such amount to be sold, he and his entire household, a plan that was not carried out due to the servant’s incessant pleadings.….
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