We know that Luke's parables are developed from Matthew's. It is worth then pondering upon the differences. There are perhaps two notable changes - the addition of the reason for the nobleman's journey away, and the amount of money that he left. Perhaps the departure to be made King relates to Archelaus (son of Herod) who at about the time of Luke's writing tried to become King but ultimately was rejected by the Romans and sent away due to his incompetence. Luke does have this obnoxious person behave rather like Herod did - public execution on a whim, disregard of fairness and no compassion at all! Luke also has the nobleman leave a much more realistic sum of money to be cared for - minas rather than talents.
Our difficulty is that Luke also says Jesus is telling us these parables so that we might understand what the kingdom of God might be like: it is challenging to think that God might be anything at all like the monster of a ruler as described in Luke's parable here. But put the parable in context with the others in chapters 18 and 19 and we might see that Luke is using a kind of rhetorical argument, asking us to decide for ourselves what God the Father might really be like, without completely revealing Him.
Saint Edmund of Abingdon, Bishop
St Edmund Rich was born at St Edmund’s Lane, Abingdon, on 20 November, probably in the year 1175. His father was a rich merchant, hence the surname (which he never in fact used himself). Under the influence of his mother he led an ascetic life. He studied at Oxford and Paris, and became a teacher in about 1200 or a little earlier. For six years he lectured on mathematics and dialectics, apparently dividing his time between Oxford and Paris, and winning distinction for his part in introducing the study of Aristotle. He is the first known Oxford Master of Arts, and the place where he taught was eventually renamed St Edmund Hall.
Between 1205 and 1210 he changed direction, studying theology and being ordained a priest. He took a doctorate in divinity, and soon won fame as a lecturer on theology and as an extemporaneous preacher. Some time between 1219 and 1222 he was appointed vicar of the parish of Calne in Wiltshire and Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral, and finally became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1233. He was a notable and effective reforming Bishop. His love for discipline and justice aroused opposition, and he found himself ranged against Rome as champion of the national Church. Eventually, like his predecessors St Thomas Becket and Stephen Langton, he retired to Pontigny, where he is buried. He died at Soisy-Bouy on 16 November 1240.
Devotion to him was especially marked at Abingdon, and at Catesby where his sisters were both nuns. Edmund was canonised in 1246, and is the Joint-Principal Patron of the Diocese of Portsmouth.
He is venerated as a vigorous and reforming bishop and as a peacemaker, as well as being a distinguished commentator on the Scriptures and an effective spiritual writer.
