Immaculate Conception Parish

Matthew 25

Parable of the Silver Pieces

14“The case of a man who was going on a journey is similar. He

called in his servants and handed his funds over to them according to

each man’s abilities. 15To one he disbursed five thousand silver pieces,

to a second two thousand, and to a third a thousand. Then he went

away. 16Immediately the man who received the five thousand went to

invest it and made another five. 17In the same way, the man who

received two thousand doubled his figure. 18The man who received one

thousand went off instead and dug a hole in the ground, where he buried

his master’s money. 19After a long absence, the master of those servants

came home and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had

received the five thousand came forward bringing the additional five. ‘My

lord,’ he said, ‘you let me have five thousand. See, I have made five

thousand more.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done! You are an

industrious and reliable servant.  Since you were dependable in a small

matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your

master’s joy!’ 22The man who received the two thousand then stepped

forward. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘you have entrusted me with two thousand

and I have made two thousand more.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Cleverly

done! You too are an industrious and reliable servant. Since you were

dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs.

Come, share your master’s joy!’

24“Finally the man who had received the thousand stepped forward.

‘My lord,’ he said’  ‘I knew you were a hard man.  You reap where you did

not sow and gather where you did not scatter, 25so out of fear I went off

and buried your thousand silver pieces in the ground. Here is your money

back.’ 26His master exclaimed: ‘You worthless, lazy lout! You know I reap

where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter. 27All the more

reason to deposit my money with the bankers, so that on my return I

could have had it back with interest. 28You there! Take the thousand

away from him and give it to the man with the ten thousand. 29Those who

have will get more until they grow rich, while those who have not will lose

even the little they have. 30Throw this worthless servant into the darkness

outside, where he can wail and grind his teeth.”