Gospel in Art: The Parable of the Talents

Adoration of the Shepherds, by Matthias Stom © Palazzo Madama, Turin / Google Arts

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27 August 2022
Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.

'The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

'Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made."

'His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness."

'Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness."

'Last came forward the man who had the one talent. "Sir," said he "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back." But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."'

Reflection on the painting

The wealthy property owner in our Gospel reading today is portrayed as a very generous person, trusting his staff beyond what many employers would do. Before departing on his break, he entrusts very large sums of money to three of his servants, each in accordance with his ability to make good use of this generous gift. To his wonderful surprise two of the servants made good use of the monies received. The third servant however did nothing with what he had been given. Instead of recognising the very trusting and generous nature of his master, he was paralysed by his image of his master as being demanding, cold hearted and a tough boss.

Jesus tells us this parable to help us recognise how generous God has been with each one of us, how much he has entrusted to us. We have received so much…. And the greatest gift he has given to us, is his Son.

Hence today I simply want to share a painting of the birth of Christ, God's most precious gift to us. More than just a gift, he is the light to the world. Our painting by Matthias Stom depicts baby Jesus bursting with light. All eyes are upon him: everyone reveres the gift that has been given.

The faces are particularly well painted, but also look at the beautiful modelling of the hands.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Todays image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-25-14-30-2022/