“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. …
Reflections on the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 7, 2022): WIS 18:6-9; PS 33:1,12,18-19,20-22; HEB 11:1-2,8-19; LK 12:32-48
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
By faith Abraham …sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob... All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar. ” (Hebrews 11:1-2,8-9,13)
The liturgical readings today remind us of the vital importance of faith in God to the Jewish people from the very beginnings of their nation. First, the Book of Wisdom focuses on the trust that they placed in God at the first Passover. He saved the lives of their firstborn so that they could leave their bondage in Egypt. The New Testament Letter to the Hebrews is addressed to early Jewish Christians who had converted and now followed Jesus. This reading reminds them and all of us about the fidelity of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants who remained steadfast in the Almighty. Finally, in the Gospel according to St. Luke, we hear Christ preaching to His disciples and those willing to hear what He had to say about the need to keep relying on God in all things. He explains that we must express our faith through our actions. Moreover, God will reward us beyond anything we could envision. “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Luke 12:32-34).
Jesus wanted all who follow Him to think about what we really treasure. Is it Him? Or is it our possessions? If we want to hold on to what we have, if we cannot bear to give away too much to those in need, if we keep trying to acquire more for ourselves, what does that say about where our heart is? We have an obligation to look after the welfare of our family and loved ones. But is our heart truly concerned with their needs, or with our own reputation, our pleasure, our accomplishment? Believing in our Lord means walking in His way. And that always calls us to love: God first, then others as much as we love ourselves. Jesus says that His Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Is that what matters most to us or is it ourselves? Where is our treasure? Where is our heart?
