As we reflect on the readings for Feria V after the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, we encounter the profound harmony between the wisdom of the Old Testament and the teachings of Christ in the Gospel. The passages from Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 44:16-27 and 45:3-20 celebrate the heritage of the faithful, particularly the righteous example of figures like Enoch, Noah, and Moses, while the Gospel of Matthew 25:14-23 presents the parable of the talents, challenging us to consider how we faithfully respond to the gifts entrusted to us by God.
The Legacy of the Righteous: Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20
The passage from Ecclesiasticus reads like a litany of the faithful, extolling the virtues of those who have walked closely with God. The names of Enoch, Noah, and Moses stand out as exemplars of faith and obedience, with a particular focus on Moses, who “found favor in the sight of all flesh” (Ecclus 45:1).
St. John Chrysostom reflects on the importance of such figures, noting that “The Saints by their very lives offer us a visible image of virtue and faithfulness, which incites our hearts to imitation.” Here, we are reminded that God has always chosen and raised up men and women through whom He accomplishes His will. As Moses was granted “dominion over kings” (Ecclus 45:3), we too are reminded that true authority and honor are not found in worldly power but in obedience to the divine will.
The Church Fathers, especially St. Augustine, often saw Moses as a type of Christ. Augustine writes, “Moses, in leading the people from Egypt, foreshadows Christ, who leads the faithful from the bondage of sin.” Just as Moses interceded for the people and guided them through the wilderness, Christ intercedes for us, and we too are called to lead others by the example of a faithful life.
The Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-23
In the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter the parable of the talents, where a man entrusts his servants with varying amounts of wealth before departing on a journey. Upon his return, he finds that two of the servants have been faithful stewards, multiplying the talents given to them, while one servant, out of fear, has buried his talent and returns it untouched.
St. Gregory the Great offers insight into this parable, explaining that the talents represent the gifts and graces God bestows on each of us according to our ability. “He who is given more is expected to produce more,” Gregory writes. The faithful servants, who increase the master’s wealth, symbolize those who respond to God’s grace with diligence and love, bearing fruit in their lives. The third servant, however, is condemned for his sloth and lack of trust. Gregory warns, “It is not enough to avoid doing evil; we must also do good with what we have been given.”
St. Augustine also sees in this parable a warning against spiritual complacency. He writes, “God does not seek from us the things He has not given, but He will demand an account of how we have used what we have received.” The talents, therefore, represent all the opportunities, graces, and virtues entrusted to us—our faith, time, abilities, and resources. To squander these gifts by burying them, whether through fear or neglect, is to fail in our vocation as disciples.
A Call to Fruitfulness
Both readings invite us to reflect on our spiritual inheritance and responsibility. Just as Moses was chosen to lead and serve, we too have been called to live lives of active faith. The figures in Ecclesiasticus remind us that our heritage as Christians is rich with the examples of the righteous who have gone before us. Their lives were marked by obedience and faithfulness to God, even when it required great sacrifice.
The parable of the talents challenges us to examine how we are using the gifts God has entrusted to us. Are we like the faithful servants, actively working to increase the graces we have received, or do we, like the slothful servant, hide our talents out of fear or spiritual lethargy?
St. John Chrysostom encourages us to “not remain idle with what is given, but rather, knowing that the reward is great, press on with zeal.” The Kingdom of Heaven is not for those who merely avoid wrongdoing but for those who actively labor in the vineyard of the Lord, producing fruits of righteousness.
Conclusion: A Legacy and a Task
The readings from Ecclesiasticus and the Gospel together form a powerful message for us today. We are heirs to a great spiritual legacy, and with this inheritance comes the responsibility to live out our faith with diligence and fruitfulness. The examples of Moses and the righteous remind us that our faith is not static but dynamic—it is a gift to be cultivated and multiplied.
As we move through this liturgical season, we should ask ourselves how we are responding to God’s call in our lives. Are we using our talents—whether they be our time, skills, or spiritual gifts—to advance the Kingdom of God? Let us heed the words of St. Gregory the Great: “Let us not hide the talent given to us, but labor faithfully, so that we may hear on the day of judgment, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.’” Amen.