Spending the Talent on Yourself Won't Help Either, Reflection on Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

Although Matthew did not use the phrase, Day of the Lord, in this week's passage, we may read this tale of judgment as being about the Final Judgment. Some readers have a problem identifying the master in the parable as being representative of God; others have no problem with it at all.

The lectionary pairing of this portion of Zephaniah with the gospel reading implies that they assume that the judgment of the timid servant is a final one.

Zechariah tells us that on the Day of the Lord, many will be punished. Their misdeeds include violence, fraud, and complacency. God will search them out with a lamp. We are accustomed to the term, light, as being complimentary when applied to God. We are reminded that light will seem good or seem bad depending on whether we want God to see what we are doing, or whether we would rather hide.

They thought their gold and silver would protect them. It will be no more help to them than the hidden talent was for the servant in Matthew's parable.

Lectio Divina: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-13