In these last three Sundays of this liturgical year, our gospel readings prompt us to think about how we live in these in-between times, this time in between Christ’s return to the Father after his resurrection and his second coming when he will return in glory.

As His followers, how are we to live as we wait for his return?

Last Sunday we had the parable of the wise and foolish virgins and an impending marriage feast. The bridegroom was late and they had fallen asleep while waiting. When he did arrive, the foolish bridesmaids were unprepared and, needing to take time to ready themselves, they missed the wedding celebration.

The message of that parable for Jesus’ followers, then and now: Be prepared for a delay in his return; and be prepared, because you do not know when it will be.

In this week’s gospel, we have the parable of the talents. The wealthy master is going away for an extended period and it is not known when he will return. Before leaving he entrusts talents to each of three servants, one is given ten talents, another five, and the third just one talent.

Now a talent was a considerable sum; think in terms of 15 to 20 times an average worker’s annual income at that time. So even one talent was a considerable sum to entrust to a servant.

The master is then away for a long time and returns unexpectedly. He praises the two servants who have doubled the wealth which was entrusted to them. Moreover, he generously rewards them: “you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.”

The other servant he chastises as wicked and lazy for, out of fear of the master, he had hidden his talent and achieved nothing. Indeed, that servant hadn’t even invested the talent so that it might earn interest. Having done nothing, the talent is taken from him; he loses the lot!

In fact, the master is not the hard and demanding man that the third servant thought he was. On the contrary the master is exceedingly generous: the two servants who did something were given still more!

The master’s final words drive home the message: “For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

So again, Jesus is teaching us about how we should live in this in-between time, not knowing when he will return.

His message: Life goes on in this in-between time; live it to the full. Don’t be paralysed by anxiety and fear of risk. Use the time that is given to us, and the talents and resources that are entrusted to us responsibly, creatively and productively. Don’t act out of fear!

Anne Hunt

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