Today's gospel relates the parable of the master who, before going on a journey, gave three of his servants his possessions: one five talents, one two talents, the third one talent. Upon his return, the master rejoices with the first two servants, who doubled the monies entrusted to them. He became enraged, however, with the third, who, out of fear, did nothing with the money except bury it in the ground, and simply returned it to his master. The master took the talent, gave it to the servant with five, and threw the third servant "into the darkness outside."
People often find this parable upsetting with regard to the treatment of the third servant, particularly as Jesus has the master say, when the single talent is taken away, "[f]or to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This does not seem fair to us, somehow. Yet we read incorrectly. Although the parable seems to center around talents, Jesus was not making a point about money (the talent was a unit of money in Jesus' time), or about gifts and abilities. Jesuit Father John Foley (of St. Louis University, not the Cristo Rey founder) explains:
"In the realm of spirituality there is only one thing that completely goes away if you only have a small bit of it, but which gets greater if you have it and use it. Love. If we love those around us, that love peaks and grows. But if fear slams the door against love, guess what. The non-lover will be in the darkness outside, wailing and gnashing his teeth. We are all frightened. It is not so unusual. God waits for ages to see if we will accept just a tiny bit of the forgiving love he offers. And to see if we will even find just enough courage to invest some of that love in other people. It is a big risk he takes, and I'm sure he says, 'oh no, not again', when we fail. But this is not a harsh reaction. It is just a disappointment of someone who loves us very well. You see, love casts out fear. So, let love in." (http://liturgy.slu.edu/33OrdA111917/reflections_foley.html)
"Pupils in a Brothers' school found themselves in a school that was demanding, but which was there to help them. All attention was really focused on them. Everything was organised to help them to make progress, and they were able to see the progress they were making . . . The treatment the pupil received from the teacher was permeated with respect and love . . . As a result of such treatment, the artisans and the poor could be led to believe in a God of love and hope." (Bruno Alpago, FSC, The Institute in the Educational Service of the Poor)
Are we here to help? Are we here to love? Can our students believe in the hope and love of God because of the risks of love we take for them?
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!