REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel, Matthew develops
the theme of what it means to be living in the
in-between time.
The master has given the servants ‘talents’ and
on his return they will be judged according to
how they have used those talents and whether
they have followed his instructions.
The reference is to money, a standard
measure used in the Near East and a
very large sum indeed.
In fact, each servant has been given
a treasure. Two perform well but the
third is paralysed by the fear of taking a risk
and hides his talent away.
His excuse is that he knew his master was an
exacting man and so he refused even to try.
He condemns himself by not responding to the
demands of the master. This Gospel challenges
us to drop our false notion of God as an exacting
master, to appreciate the gifts we have been
given and to use and develop them for
our good and the good of others.

As the public ministry of Jesus
draws to a close, Matthew introduces
the themes of delay and the need to
be ready for the second coming of Christ.
Matthew’s community was living in the
‘in-between’ times. Christ’s victory over death
through his resurrection had begun a
new phase in history but it was not yet complete.
Completion would only come
with his return in glory.
We again hear the familiar imagery of the
messianic banquet or wedding feast
to which all are invited.
But only those who live with an attitude
of openness and readiness will
come into the great hall.
This parable speaks strongly of the need
to live in the present with an eye to the future.
We cannot live only for the ‘now’ with no thought
for our ultimate goal, nor can we ignore the
sufferings and responsibilities of the present
and set our hearts only on heaven.

REFLECTION
At first reading we may be shocked by
Jesus’ attack on the Pharisees.
Over the last few weeks we have read of
several encounters where they try to entrap
Jesus so perhaps this attack is warranted.
What we need to remember, however,
is that Matthew is primarily writing for his own,
predominantly Jewish, community.
There must have been some members
who had come to faith in Jesus from positions
of prestige and authority in the Synagogue.
Jesus is making it clear that within the Christian
community, leadership must be different.
There is no exulting of self, no leadership of
dominance or misuse of power.
The old structure of Masters, Lords or Rabbis
no longer holds. There is but one master in
heave and one teacher, Jesus Christ.
Real leadership within the community must be a
leadership of service.

REFLECTION

This is the final public encounter between
Jesus and his enemies in Matthew’s Gospel.
They are seeking to expose his lack of
professional knowledge of the Scriptures
or to trap him into giving more weight
to one of the Ten Commandments which are
viewed as equally important.
Jesus cuts the ground from under them.
No one could argue with his answer!
But if the dual command of love was
present in the Jewish Law, what
new thing did Jesus bring?
His originality places love of God
and love of neighbour together.
It is not possible to love God and despise people.
God and the human situation are
intimately inter-woven.
This shown most perfectly in the
person of Jesus himself-
Son of Man, Son of God;
fully human and fully divine.
Followers of Jesus must also embody the dual
commandment of love.

Reflection (Read Newsletter)
This was an interesting question posed to Jesus.
Given the political and religious structures
of the society in which he lived,
this was a “no win” situation!
Jews were required to pay a denarius
(a days wage) to the Roman overlords
and were also required to pay a half-shekel
(a standard silver tax coin) tax
towards the running of the Temple.
If Jesus had answered ‘yes’, he could
have been accused of betraying
his religious duty.
If he had answered ‘no’, he could
have been reported to the Roman authorities
for inciting others not to pay their taxes.
This was a trick indeed.
Jesus’ answer makes clear that
there are obligations to the State
for any citizen but also makes clear
that there are obligations to God.
The coin bears Caesar’s image and therefore
belongs to him, but the whole of creation
bears the imprint of God.
The first loyalty of all created things
is therefore to God.