This verse comes just before Jesus' “Parable of the Talents,” which is one that I am in constant negotiation with. Why not all ten talents, Lord? . . . Be careful what you wish for! Caring for children is one example of how life can become a complex high-speed railway network, with time in short supply.

Often, I have ideas or plans that get buried under the demands of daily life, unless I commit to the process of bringing them to fruition. Interdisciplinary practice stops me in my tracks. I realize that I cannot achieve much depth when running in five different directions at once.

So... how about just one talent, Lord? Just this one thing in life to master and keep in a 'bank' for future generations?

But consider the context of the parable. Jesus and his followers are on a dusty trek to Jerusalem, with another twenty-eight miles to go. Perhaps the weather was muggy and the sky overcast. Jesus has just committed to stay at Zacchaeus’ house in Jericho, and his followers have grown grumpy from lack of rest. Nevertheless, the anticipation is high as people have seen or heard of enough miracles to keep them hooked. They imagine that the best is yet to come, that the “show” is about to begin. Little do they realize that they are the principal players, not extras, and that the key to the “performance” is the transformation of their own hearts(!) Jesus spins the expert parable to demonstrate that the talents are being placed with everyone.

What incredible generosity of God! What an uplifting story! Why? Because the Lord is not all about His own “showmanship” and eternal glory. No, in the heat of the moment, Jesus looks over and sees me – sees all of us – in the crowd, just like he noticed Zacchaeus up in the tree. He cares for my success, and cheers me on to reach Jerusalem. The best part is that his proposition is not a messy system of ungirdled wants and desires. It is a care-filled network of destinies, where each one of us has infinite worth, well beyond just ten talents.

God bless you!

Edyta