33rd Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 18th November 2020 — Gospel: Lk 19,11-28
Failing to Respond Favourably
The parable of the ten pounds is a combination of two parables: 1) the parable of the rejected king, and 2) the parable of the unproductive servant. In interweaving these two parables, Luke portrays Jesus as a nobleman who will settle accounts with all people. He rewards the good and faithful servants, while punishing those who sought to overthrow the kingdom of God or who do not return to God with due interest in what has been given to them. On the one hand, the more one has sought to share and work with what has been given to an individual, the more benefits are gained. On the other hand, those who meet with severe judgment are to answer why they are not accepting God’s kingdom. They refuse to respond favourably because their view of authority is totally mistaken. They never truly knew or trusted their God. These are people who fail to see God’s gifts of grace given to them.
