By Monika Manser
Introduction
The most frequent way of praying that Saint Ignatius uses is that of imagining ourselves in a Gospel scene. We imagine ourselves as a character in the story. We take part in the story, seeing Jesus and all the other people, being aware of what’s going on and how we are feeling. The purpose of praying with the imagination is to allow Christ in the Scripture to speak to us. To bring the Gospel stories to life for us. We are not trying to recreate history. It doesn’t matter if your imagination takes the story off in a different direction to the Scripture. It doesn’t matter if the story takes place in 1st century Palestine or where we live now in the 21st century. What is important is what God wants to say to us through this passage.
Let us sit and relax so that together we can contemplate the Gospel using our imagination.
Prayer
We acknowledge we are in the presence of God so let us say together:
Direct O Lord and guide and influence all that is happening in my mind and heart during this time of prayer: all my moods and feelings, my memories and imaginings; my hopes and desires; may all be directed and influenced to your greater glory, praise and service and to my growth in your Spirit.
Amen
Let the Spirit enter our hearts and enlighten our minds to reflect on whether or nor we work for the Lord and use the talents he gave to each of us in his name and to best of our ability.
Reading
Matthew 25:14-30
At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
‘Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, “Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, “Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.”
But his master answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ’
In this the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, today’s Gospel Reading, the parable of the talents, teaches us that God’s judgment will be based on the service we render to God and to one another in accordance with the gifts that our loving and generous God has bestowed on us. Let us now enter the scene and listen to Jesus’ discourse telling us how to conduct ourselves as we await the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Who are you in the scene? One of the disciples? One of the crowd? A follower of Jesus? Perhaps one of the servants being entrusted with talents. Perhaps you are an observer.
- Where are you listening to Jesus? In the temple? In an open space? In the market place?
- Is there a crowd of people around Jesus? If so where are you in the crowd? Why are you there?
- Look around you? What are the people doing? Look at the expressions on their faces? What about the expression on Jesus’ face as he begins his parable?.
- As you listen to Jesus telling you that the Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going to a distant country, imagine yourself standing on a dusty road in ancient Judea. Feel the dry heat of the sun on your skin and a light breeze rustling the olive trees nearby. Imagine you are standing outside the gates of a large, prosperous estate.
- Notice the three servants being called forward. What do they look like? Notice their expressions. Are they anxious, eager, curious, or tired?
- Watch the master’s expression as he entrusts his servants with his property and giving them talents according to their ability. Observe the reaction of the servants with what the master has given them. How do you feel with what the master has given you? Confidence in your own ability, the desire to please, perhaps doubt, fear or something else?
- Take time to think of your talents, your gifts, your charisms; the specific and unique talents you have; where you are being drawn to use them; how you feel about them, whether you are using them to your full potential and how you show your gratitude for them.
- Now watch the first two servants immediately set to work. See them entering the marketplace, trading, and taking risks to build up what they were given. They are active, creative, and fully engaged. Are you using your talents to their full potential?
- Watch the third servant walk away from the market place. He carries his single talent to a secluded corner of a field and buries it? Do you bury your talents? Why? Is it because you are afraid? Is it because you do not like taking risks and do not want to leave your comfort zone? Does fear paralyse your life when it comes to you using your talents?
- Watch as the master returns, and the servants are called to give an account.
- Listen to the first two servants step forward. Hear the joy and pride in their voices as they explain how they doubled their gifts. Listen to the master’s warm, response: “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Feel the joy of the master.
- Now, watch the third servant steps forward. He looks defensive and hesitant. Listen to his voice as he speaks to the master. “Master, I knew you to be a harsh man… so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours”. Feel the disappointment in the master’s voice because the servant refused to trust. What is going through your mind as you listen to the master’s seemingly harsh response?
Let us spend 10 minutes in the company of Jesus about what is going on in your heart and mind regarding your talents and how you are to use them. Share with Him the areas of your life where you feel tempted to bury your gifts because you are afraid of failing, afraid of judgment, or afraid of not being good enough. Hear Him remind you that His kingdom is built on love and trust, not on fear and perfection.
Sharing
Let us now share what we thought, felt etc. only if you are comfortable to do so.
End Prayer
Suscipe of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Scripture texts from the English Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition (ESV-CE), published by Asian Trading Corporation and Crossway, 2017.