Proper 28 Yr A
What potential
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
Introduction
In the gospel this week, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. Several points are worth noting. First, the three slaves were NOT given the same number (or amount of) talents but were given "according to his ability". It's easy to be a bit envious of someone who seems to be able to do anything and everything. Clearly, that one has the ability to do these many things. The second point is what each slave did with the talents. Two are said to trade with his talents (I can't help but think playing poker) but the third buried his. So there's a difference in attitude there between "I can do this" and "What if I lose the master's talent". The last and important lesson in this parable is the third slave's assumption that he knew what the master really wanted. Somehow slave #3 had interpreted the master's intent very poorly. "reap where you do not sow" or "gather where you did not scatter seed" shows a bit of blindness for slave #3. The "moral" of the story is, do we live up to our potential. Do we use what we have to the best of our ability or hide our talent for fear of failure? A favored classic Charlie Brown® statement is shown above: "There is no heavier burden than a great potential." What is your potential? How are you living up to that potential?
Addendum 11/14/2023: At Bible study this morning, we looked closely at whether somehow this is an "out-dated" concept—that indeed God would not dismiss us or throw us away even if we didn't measure up to those around us. I rather like this "new and improved" concept and look forward to your comments about it.
Feel free to send comments here.
Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. . . . Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 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. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
From sermon4kids.com: “Sometimes we might think God hasn't given us very much talent. We might even be tempted to hide our talent. But when we use our God-given talent to be all that God planned for us to be, He will give us even more!”
Scripture: November 19, 2023—Proper 28 Yr A (Pentecost 24)—Judges 4:1-7 (image); Psalm 123 (image); Zephaniah 1:7,12-18 (image); Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12 (image); 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (image); and Matthew 25:14-30 (image). The audio and visual journey.
Collect: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Track 1: If we believe in the kindgom to come, we need not fear, in life or in death. How does that change the way we live?
Track 2: Human beings have been graced with the gift of persistence, imagination, and the capacity for extraordinary accomplishment. We have even been given life-giving gifts. Yet, as the psalmist reminds us, we are finite beings. When is our refusal to accept human limits productive, and when does this hinder our creaturely stance before God? Is knowing that God is God, and we are not, a message of eternal grace that we can hear? And in the face of tragedy and death, can we bear that grace in confidence and peace?
(Reflection source: Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion for Liturgical Year A Volume 2, © 2014 John Knox Press)
Eye Candy:
“The Last Judgment” by Peter von Cornelius;
“The Fall of the Damned” by Peter Paul Rubens;
“Ascent of the Blessed” by Hieronumus Bosch
Ear Worm:
“The Light” by Alexi Murdoch;
“The Potter’s hand” by Darlene Zschech;
“Here I am, Lord” by Don Schutte
Brain Food:
“The Wind, One Brilliant Day” by Antonio Machado
The wind, one brilliant day, called
to my soul with an odor of jasmine
"In return for the odor of my jasmine,
I'd like all the odor of your roses."
"I have no roses; all the flowers
in my garden are dead."
"Well then, I'll take the withered petals
and the yellow leaves and the waters of the fountain."
The wind left, And I wept. And I said to myself:
"What have you done with the garden that was entrusted to you?"
“The politics of talents“, by Mark Davis from Political Theology weblog
“Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson in Return to Love (often misattributed to Nelson Mandela):
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
You were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Parables:
“Walking across Egypt“, (1999, PG-13) story of aging widow, Review;
"Dead Poet's Society" (1989, PG), there is a higher authority, "seize the day", Review 1, Review 2;
“Sling Blade“, (1996, R), “no such thing as good or redemptive violence”, Review;
"Coach Carter" (2005, PG-13), "engaging film with terrific message", Review;
"CODA" (child of deaf adults) (2021, PG-13), "It is important that we sing", Review.
It's not too soon to think about Advent. Here are (adult & some children) coloring pages for the season. Consider posting a picture to Facebook if you color one of these.
For families: Study guide and activities, (former guide), group activity, snacks—look in group activities, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities
For middlers: See family guide/activities
Coloring: Judges, Parable of the talents
For youth: The parable of the talents can be hard to read and accept. First, why do you think the master gave the servants differing amounts of money to take care of? I know many of us look at friends and think, “Wow, they have so much talent; they can do anything.” Then, in the story, the timid servant was berated for failing to turn his gifts into something more. Do you hear that? “I know you can do better in school.” “You’re smarter than that.” So, I wonder what it felt like to be the one who did not receive praise. Perhaps the lesson here is we all have gifts, some of us more than others of us. How are you investing your gifts to make them grow?
(excerpted from “Using our gifts” from the Lessons that work (Episcopal Church) website.Share your thoughts here.
Saints coloring books (in case you missed 'em): One; Two; and Three.
Our attention today is again turned toward the subject of Christ’s return and the Day of Judgment. In the parable of the talents (a monetary unit worth fifteen years’ wages in the first century), we are taught that what God has given us is to be used productively and ultimately returned to God enhanced by our use of those gifts.
Track 1. The Bible’s story of the people of Israel continues with their settling in the Land of Promise. Surrounded by enemies, their next years were filled with struggle. A number of leaders arose (called Judges). One of the greatest was Deborah, who rallied the people to fight off the Canaanites.
Track 2. The rather gloomy prophet, Zephaniah, speaks God’s word in the first reading today. This a warning to those who rest satisfied with their state of life. A day is coming of judgment when we must give account. Those people find that day a day of disaster.
Today we conclude reading through 1 Thessalonians. In his final words to this early congregation, confused because the Lord has not yet returned, Paul tells them that Jesus’ return cannot be predicted. In addition, he tells them, and us, to live in preparation all the time with the confident certainty of those who live in the light of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ.
In historical periods of social confusion (such as our own time), popular religion often focuses on the most negative and pessimistic aspects of the biblical message of judgment. The central message of Holy Scripture, however, is not God’s wrath but God’s love and the promise made to us of salvation. As we gather in the Eucharist, we again hear that message of the loving God and are equipped to go forth to proclaim it to the world.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.