The 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Let us pray:
Lord, lead me in the direction of your precious gift: wisdom of heart.
Help me to see the world as you see it –
to love each ‘child of God’ as you do.
Let us look for you in the ones we love,
in the strangers we meet, and in all those in need.
Bring your loving wisdom into our work, our re-creation,
our reading and even our sleep.
May your Spirit that brings us faith and hope fill us with your love. Amen
1st Reading – The Book of Wisdom 18: 6-9
The Book of Wisdom, written in the century before the birth of Jesus at
Alexandria (one of the great centers of learning in the ancient world), aimed to
strengthen the faith of the Jewish community living in the diaspora. The
diaspora were communities outside of the Holy Land through Asia Minor where
the Jewish people were more influenced by Hellenistic culture. They seemed to
be more progressive and were very important to the early church. In this
reading, the author reflects on God’s abiding presence and constant saving
action among the people. There is an attitude of watchful readiness, which we
will see in the Gospel reading too (Foundations in Faith, p. 176).
With faith comes courage. We have a God that will never disappoint, that will
never leave us. We must rely on God like “holy children of the good”. How
does that image speak to you? God summons (arouses, beckons, gathers,
rallies) us…for God’s glory. How do you find this true in your life?
2nd Reading – Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19
The 11th chapter of this letter is sometimes
called ‘the roll call of the heroes of faith.’
Yet, these great figures of salvation
history are brought forth, not for their
heroism, but for their ‘faith’ which is here
closely linked with hope. Faith is taking
God at his word when he promises his
love and help for the now and for the
future. These Old Testament people
became examples to early Christians
(and to us) for the New Israel – the new
wandering people of God – called into God’s kingdom – now and into the
future. We are all called to imitate Abraham who “went out, not knowing where
he was to go.” He lived trusting himself and his family to God’s promises and
love. (Reginald Fuller, http://liturgy.slu.edu )
Faith is about working with and living toward your dreams. Faith in a God who
loves us and wants and works for our good and the good of all – provides us
with the hope that we need to help make ‘good dreams’ come true. It’s like
buying a guitar in hopes of making music – and then using that hope to work
toward this goal. The most important part of a dream is believing in it. (Exploring
the Sunday Readings, August 2010)
In your life, how many dreams have become realities so far? Have you ever
prayed about God’s dream for you?
The Gospel – Luke 12: 32-48
This gospel is not about an ending…but a beginning. Be prepared…for
something wonderful. Be prepared…for God to come into your life. Be
prepared…to open the door to Christ, let him in, and to serve him. Are we
ready for whatever God wants us to do with our lives? Are we looking for Him,
anticipating Him? Are we ready to give Him what He wants and needs – our
time, our talent, even, perhaps, our lives? (Hungry, and You Fed Me, p. 206)
“Gird your loins.” The long flowing robes of the east
were a hindrance to work; and when a man
prepared to work he gathered up his robes under
his girdle to leave himself free for activity. We
would like God to find us with our work completed.
Life for so many of us is filled with loose ends…the
things put off and the things not even attempted.
Keats wrote,
“When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has glean’d my teeming brain.”
There is nothing so fatal as to feel that we have
plenty of time (Barclay’s The Gospel of Luke, p.
171-172). What will you do with your time? It
matters!
Let us pray:
Lord, teach us to watch and work for your return.
Let your dreams of wisdom and goodness for all, be our dreams also.
May we come to know with our whole hearts and minds
that our true treasure lies in you –
and that your kingdom is a state of love for everyone
right here and now, and for eternity.
We trust and put our faith in your power for life.
Lord we do believe. Help our unbelief. Amen