ACC ~ Luke 19 v11 - 27

JESUS ASCENDS TO A FAR COUNTRY IN HEAVEN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The scope of the parable briefly represents the whole meaning of the dispensation that was for us and of the mystery of Christ from the beginning even to the end. The Word, being God, became man. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, because of this he is also called a servant. He is and was free born, because the Father unspeakably begot him. He is also God, transcending all in nature and in glory and surpassing the things of our estate, or rather even the whole creation, by his incomparable fullness. …

By nature God, he is said to have received from the Father the name that is above every name when he became man. We might then believe in him as God and the King of all, even in the flesh that was united to him.

When he had endured the passion on the cross for our sakes and had abolished death by the resurrection of his body from the dead, he ascended to the Father and became like a man journeying to a far country. Heaven is a different country from earth, and he ascended so that he might receive a kingdom for himself. … How does he who reigns over all with the Father ascend to him to receive a kingdom? The Father also gives this to the Son according to his becoming man. When he ascended into heaven, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, [1] waiting until his enemies are put under his feet. [2] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 128. [3]

[1] Heb 1:3.

[2] See Ps 110; Mt 22:44; Mk 12:36; Lk 20:43; Acts 2:35; Heb 1:13; 10:13.

[3] CGSL 508-10*.

TALENTS ARE DIVINE GIFTS GIVEN TO THE FAITHFUL

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: To those who believe in him, the Savior distributes a variety of divine gifts. We affirm that this is the meaning of the talent. Truly great is the difference between those who receive the talents and those who have even completely denied his kingdom. They are rebels that throw off the yoke of his scepter, while the others are endowed with the glory of serving him. As faithful servants, therefore, they are entrusted with their Lord’s wealth. They gain something by doing business. They earn the praises due to faithful service, and they are considered worthy of eternal honors. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 129. [1]

[1] CGSL 511**.

THE DIVERSITY OF THE GIFTS STILL EVIDENT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The sacred Scripture clearly shows how he distributed, who the persons are, and what the talents that he distributes signify. He continues to distribute even to this day. Blessed Paul said, “There are distributions of gifts but the same Spirit. There are distributions of ministries but the same Lord. There are distributions of things to be done but the same God who works all in every man.” [1] Explaining what he said, he states the kinds of the gifts as follows: “For to one is given the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, and to another faith, and to another gifts of healing, [2] and so on. These words make plain the differences in the gifts. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 129. [3]

[1] 1 Cor 12:4-7.

[2] 1 Cor 12:8.

[3] CGSL 511**.

THE CITIZENS WHO HATE JESUS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: It says that his citizens hated him. Likewise, Christ admonishes the Jewish crowds, saying, “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.” [1] They would not let him reign over them, and yet the holy prophets were constantly speaking predictions of Christ as a king. One of them even said, “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion, for your King comes to you, just, and a Savior; he is meek, and riding on a donkey, and on a new foal.” [2] Blessed Isaiah says of him and of the holy apostles, “Behold, a just king shall reign, and princes shall rule with judgment.” [3] Again, Christ somewhere said by the voice of the psalmist, “But I have been appointed King by him on Zion, his holy mount, and I will declare the commandment of the Lord.” [4] They then denied his kingdom. When they came near to Pilate saying, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him,” [5] he asked them, or rather said to them in derision, “Shall I crucify your king?” They answered with wicked words and said, “We have no king but Caesar.”

Having denied the kingdom of Christ, they fell under the dominion of Satan and brought on themselves the yoke of sin that cannot be lifted. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 128. [6]

[1] Jn 15:24.

[2] Zech 9:9.

[3] Is 32:1.

[4] Ps 2:6-7.

[5] Jn 19:15.

[6] CGSL 510**.

THE TALENTS DISTRIBUTED TO THE APOSTLES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: I think that I should mention whom Christ has entrusted with these gifts, according to the measure of each one’s readiness and disposition. … Another Evangelist is aware of a difference between the amounts of the talents distributed. To one, he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one. [1] You see that the distribution was suitable to the measure of each one’s faculties. As to those who were entrusted with them, come, and let us to the best of our ability declare who they are. They are those who are perfect in mind to whom also strong meat is fitting and whose intellectual senses are exercised for the discerning of good and evil. [2] They are those who are skilled in instructing correctly and acquainted with the sacred doctrines. They know how to direct both themselves and others to every better work. In short, the wise disciples were above all others. Next to these come those who succeeded to their ministry, or who hold it at this day, even the holy teachers that stand at the head of the holy churches. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 129. [3]

[1] Mt 25:15.

[2] Heb 5:14.

[3] CGSL 512**.

INTEREST ON THE WORD OF GOD

ORIGEN: Interest on the Word of God is having in life and deeds things that the Word of God has commanded. When you hear the Word, if you use it and act according to those words that you hear and live according to these words, then you are preparing interest for the Lord. Each of you can make ten talents from five. You will then hear from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you shall have power over ten cities.” Beware of this, fearing that any one of you may gather “in a napkin” or bury “in the earth” the money that has been received. You know well the nature of the outcome for this kind of man when the Lord comes. HOMILY ON EXODUS 13.1. [1]

[1] FC 71:376*.

THE OFFICE OF INVESTORS

AUGUSTINE: We are well aware of the threats made by the Lord’s merciful “greed.” He is everywhere seeking a profitable return on his money. He says to the lazy servant, who wished to pass judgment on something he could not see, “Wicked servant, out of your own mouth I condemn you. You said I am a difficult man, reaping where I have not sown, gathering where I have not scattered. So you knew all about my greed. You, then, should have given my money to the stockbrokers. When I came, I would have demanded it with interest.” We could only lay out our Lord’s money. He is the one who will demand the interest on it, not only from this man but also from all of us. SERMON 279.12. [1]

[1] WSA 3 8:67**.

WHEN IN BUSINESS FOR THE LORD, THE PROFITS GO TO US

ORIGEN: What you have offered to God you shall receive back multiplied. Something like this, although put in another way, is related in the Gospels when in a parable someone received a pound that he might engage in business, and the master of the house demanded the money. If you have caused five to be multiplied to ten, then they are given to you. Hear what Scripture says, “Take his pound, and give it to him who has ten pounds.”

We therefore appear at least to engage in business for the Lord, but the profits of the business go to us. We appear to offer sacrifice to the Lord, but the things we offer are given back to us. God does not need anything, but he wants us to be rich. He desires our progress through each, individual thing. HOMILY ON GENESIS 8. [1]

[1] FC 71:146-47*.

EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR DISPENSING THE GIFTS

AUGUSTINE: In the Gospel, you have heard both the reward of the good servants and the punishment of the bad. The fault of that servant who was reproved and severely punished was this and only this: that he would not put to use what he had received. He preserved it intact, but his master was looking for a profit from it. God is greedy for our salvation. If such condemnation befalls the servant who did not use what he had received, what should they who lose it expect? We therefore are dispensers. We expend, but you receive. We expect a profit on your part—living good lives—for that is the profit from our dispensing. Do not think that you are free from the obligation of dispensing. Of course, you cannot dispense your gifts as from this higher station of ours, but you can dispense them in whatever station you happen to be. When Christ is attacked, defend him. Give an answer to those who complain. Rebuke blasphemers, but keep yourselves far from any fellowship with them. If in this way you gain anyone, you are putting your gifts to use. SERMON 94. [1]

[1] FC 11:293-94.

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