ACC ~ Matthew 25 v19
THE MASTER CAME TO THEM
ORIGEN: Notice too that the servants did not go to the master so they might be judged and receive their just deserts. Rather, âthe master came to themâ in due course. âAfter a long timeâ he came and âsettled accounts with themâ on everything they had done, compensating them for the gains of their good works and the losses of their sins. Settling âaccountsâ and scrutinizing everything, he dealt with each one individually. It behooves us, then, as those who by sinning have done evil and by doing good reaped a profit, to keep a guard on our hearts. In this way, when our Master comes to settle accounts with us, we may not be found to have done evil, even through idle words. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 66. [1]
[1] GCS 38.2:157.
AFTER A LONG TIME
CHRYSOSTOM: In the case of the vineyard, he let it out to farmers and went into a far country. Here he committed to them the talents and took his journey that you might understand his patience and long-suffering. And to me he seems to say these things as an intimation of the resurrection. But here it is no more a vineyard and husbandmen but all farmers. For it is not to rulers only or to Jews but to all that he addresses this discourse. And those who bring a return to him confess frankly, both what is their own and what their Masterâs. And the one says, âLord, you gave me five talents,â and the other says, âtwo,â indicating that from him they received the source of their gain, and they are very thankful and reckon all to him. [1] THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 78.2. [2]
[1] Mt 25:20.
[2] PG 58:713-14; NPNF 1 10:472.
WEIGHING THE GAIN
GREGORY THE GREAT: The Lord who dispensed the talents returns to demand an account, because he who now generously bestows spiritual gifts may at the judgment inquire searchingly into what was achieved; he may take into account what everyone has received and weigh up the gain we bring back from his gifts. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.1. [1]
[1] PL 76:1107; CS 123:128 (Homily 18).
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