The parable of the ten virgins, which we heard last Sunday, concluded with an invitation to keep watch, because no one knows the day and hour of the Lord’s return. Keeping vigil, as we have understood, means knowing how to manage the waiting time well by arming ourselves with what is necessary: oil. This oil, which fuels the lamps, is understood, in Jewish tradition, as good works, an essential condition for participation in the Messianic wedding. In today’s passage, the parable of the talents, Matthew delves deeper into the topic.  Keeping watch (gregoréo) means being faithful in small everyday things and striving to make the gifts of nature and grace bestowed upon you bear fruit from the Lord. The Christian knows that he has received gifts from God. He is equally aware, however, that he cannot just be a “user” but must also be a generous giver of graces received.  Loyalty takes the form of responsibility: a responsibility towards others which leads to self-limitation and self-giving in order to build the communion of love. But there is more. Loyalty is also creative working with the many situations of life and the various scenarios of human existence. This is why we can define fidelity as “the everyday transfigured by love”.  At the basis of faithfulness is love, not fear (the third servant in the parable); it is a faith that manifests as trust, reliance and prophecy: prophecy in the sense of a sure knowledge that there will be a fulfilment of the promises.  This helps to overcome evil which, unfortunately, stands in the way along his earthly path.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Santa Maria – Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey