To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Macc 7:1, 20-31; Lk 19:11-28
The parable in the text of today is from the common source of
Matthew and Luke known as “Q”. However, Matthew (Mt 25,14-30) presents it
differently. While in Matthew there are three servants who are given five
talents (a talent was equivalent to 20 years wages for a common labourer), two
and one talent respectively, in Luke there are ten servants who are given one mina
each (a mina was about three months wages for a common labourer). The amounts
in Luke are much smaller than in Matthew.
Though there are ten servants, we are
told only about three. The first of the three has earned ten minas with the one
he was given, the second has earned five and so these are given charge of ten
and five cities respectively. The third returns the mina to the king because he
was afraid of him and knew him to be a harsh man. After berating the man for
not putting the mina into the bank, which would have earned interest, the king
commands that his mina be given to the one who already has ten.
The point, which Luke seems to make in this parable, is that
responses to Jesus the king have a decisive role in human destiny, for
responses to him determine life and death. There is no “safe” position. The
only road to success is to take risks as taken by the first two servants.
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