Lk 19:11-28
11While [people] were listening to [Jesus] speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. 12So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 13He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
14His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ 15But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ 17He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’... 20Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’22He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; 23why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ 24And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ 25But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ 26‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’ ”...
28After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
Reflection:
Parable. Where does Jesus get his stories? Scholars say that today’s parable has some references to a real historical figure. Jesus must have so many sayings and stories that Luke sometimes gets confused trying to tie them all together. These stories can only come from an observant person, woven by a man who loves people, relates with persons, and is involved in their dramas and experiences. Jesus encounters many people, and every moment becomes a storyline for the next parable.
Life is rich with stories and parables if we but live it to the full.
Read yourself a good story tonight or watch a good movie.