Readings for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Wis 18:6-9
This passage is part of what is known as the Fifth Diptych (a hinged two-leaved tablet used in ancient times for writing on with a stylus), a reflection on God’s salvation as he first chose and then led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Reference is made to the time before the Passover and the sacrifices made by those who had not seen the Exodus, and following it.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise in which God as creator is celebrated. In this selection the just are invited to share the Lord’s salvation and are promised his protection.
Reading II Heb 11:1-2, 8-19
This reading from the Hebrews addresses the faith needed to accept that the resurrection is offered to the faithful. It starts with St. Paul’s definition of faith (Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen). It continues with an example of faith from God’s relationship with mankind, Abraham and his miraculous role as father of nations. All his descendents never saw the promise of the resurrection – but died in faith and so have been invited to share.
The passage concludes with the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac and his consequent understanding that God was able to raise those asleep in death.
Or Heb 11:1-2, 8-12
The optional shorter form does not include the final example of Abraham’s faithful response to God’s request that he offer Sarah’s first son Isaac as sacrifice. This additional pair of verses provides a description of how Abraham came to understand God’s power to raise the dead and would like the Hebrews closely to the resurrection apologetic.
Gospel Lk 12:32-48
The longer form of the Gospel from St. Luke today explains the example that follows and is the heart of the shorter form. Jesus tells his disciples that the most valuable prize is given to them and that all their worldly possessions amount to nothing in comparison. He tells them that the treasure they hold most dearly will define them to the world.
Or Lk12:35-40
The idea of placing constant faithfulness first (most importantly present) is given as the moral of the Lord’s parable. Peter questions whether the parable is meant for everyone of just for he disciples he is addressing. The Lord then clarifies that any who would inherit the Kingdom of God must be constantly faithful to the Lord’s precepts. He goes on to conclude that no one may know the day or the hour that they will be called to account. He concludes telling the disciples, who have been given much in their association with the Christ, that to those which much is given, even more is expected. Essentially telling them that they must be examples to everyone even each other.
Reflection:
The very powerful Gospel injunction from St. Luke’s Gospel drives the theme today. There is actually a logic progression present in the selection we are given rather than a single point to be made. That progression links two key verses;
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
And:
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Between these two statements, through the use of allegory and parable, the Lord drives home the fact that the most important gift ever received is the gift of the Kingdom of God. With that gift comes God’s Law, given through a long line of prophets and patriarchs to the people of faith. We see a glimpse of this history in the first reading from the Book of Wisdom. Rejoicing in that gift, the faithful will be a gift to the world and will be seen as blessed (Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be).
We have all seen the truth of this pronouncement by the Lord. When we look around at our brothers and sisters with whom we have daily contact, don’t we see in them what they treasure? Can’t we easily see where their passions lie? If they love material things, there will be trophies of those things were ever they are. Whether it be pictures of their prized possessions on their desks or if all they do is directed to maintaining what they have or obtaining more, the signs are there. What they put first in their lives will be celebrated by them constantly. For us that means that, if we truly put the Kingdom of God first in our lives, those with whom we have contact should be well aware of that as well. Our question is, does that show?
By the very nature of our love and our passion we will either accept that we must be constantly prepared to meet the judgment promised in the Gospel or we will accept that we must reorient our priorities. We don’t know when and were our life’s accomplishments will be held up in front of that great judge. What was made clear in that passage today is that, at our resurrection we, all of us who are faithful, will not be held to the same measure. No, that last verse in the Gospel hits us right between the eyes. “Much will be required by the person entrusted with much.” If we start to get cocky or condescending saying, “I am so much better at practicing my faith than that person. I will surely get a place of honor in the next life” we are in for a big surprise. The Lord does not give us an easy path, he expects us to work hard with what we have. (I would not want to be the Pope.)
Today the logic brings us to our final place. What we are given must be used as well as we can. It should be apparent to all we meant that we have been given this gift. It will be what we are asked for on the last day. Let us pray that we pass that test.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is The Worship of Mammon, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1909
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Wis 18:6-9
This passage is part of what is known as the Fifth Diptych (a hinged two-leaved tablet used in ancient times for writing on with a stylus), a reflection on God’s salvation as he first chose and then led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Reference is made to the time before the Passover and the sacrifices made by those who had not seen the Exodus, and following it.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise in which God as creator is celebrated. In this selection the just are invited to share the Lord’s salvation and are promised his protection.
Reading II Heb 11:1-2, 8-19
This reading from the Hebrews addresses the faith needed to accept that the resurrection is offered to the faithful. It starts with St. Paul’s definition of faith (Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen). It continues with an example of faith from God’s relationship with mankind, Abraham and his miraculous role as father of nations. All his descendents never saw the promise of the resurrection – but died in faith and so have been invited to share.
The passage concludes with the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac and his consequent understanding that God was able to raise those asleep in death.
Or Heb 11:1-2, 8-12
The optional shorter form does not include the final example of Abraham’s faithful response to God’s request that he offer Sarah’s first son Isaac as sacrifice. This additional pair of verses provides a description of how Abraham came to understand God’s power to raise the dead and would like the Hebrews closely to the resurrection apologetic.
Gospel Lk 12:32-48
The longer form of the Gospel from St. Luke today explains the example that follows and is the heart of the shorter form. Jesus tells his disciples that the most valuable prize is given to them and that all their worldly possessions amount to nothing in comparison. He tells them that the treasure they hold most dearly will define them to the world.
Or Lk12:35-40
The idea of placing constant faithfulness first (most importantly present) is given as the moral of the Lord’s parable. Peter questions whether the parable is meant for everyone of just for he disciples he is addressing. The Lord then clarifies that any who would inherit the Kingdom of God must be constantly faithful to the Lord’s precepts. He goes on to conclude that no one may know the day or the hour that they will be called to account. He concludes telling the disciples, who have been given much in their association with the Christ, that to those which much is given, even more is expected. Essentially telling them that they must be examples to everyone even each other.
Reflection:
The very powerful Gospel injunction from St. Luke’s Gospel drives the theme today. There is actually a logic progression present in the selection we are given rather than a single point to be made. That progression links two key verses;
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
And:
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Between these two statements, through the use of allegory and parable, the Lord drives home the fact that the most important gift ever received is the gift of the Kingdom of God. With that gift comes God’s Law, given through a long line of prophets and patriarchs to the people of faith. We see a glimpse of this history in the first reading from the Book of Wisdom. Rejoicing in that gift, the faithful will be a gift to the world and will be seen as blessed (Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be).
We have all seen the truth of this pronouncement by the Lord. When we look around at our brothers and sisters with whom we have daily contact, don’t we see in them what they treasure? Can’t we easily see where their passions lie? If they love material things, there will be trophies of those things were ever they are. Whether it be pictures of their prized possessions on their desks or if all they do is directed to maintaining what they have or obtaining more, the signs are there. What they put first in their lives will be celebrated by them constantly. For us that means that, if we truly put the Kingdom of God first in our lives, those with whom we have contact should be well aware of that as well. Our question is, does that show?
By the very nature of our love and our passion we will either accept that we must be constantly prepared to meet the judgment promised in the Gospel or we will accept that we must reorient our priorities. We don’t know when and were our life’s accomplishments will be held up in front of that great judge. What was made clear in that passage today is that, at our resurrection we, all of us who are faithful, will not be held to the same measure. No, that last verse in the Gospel hits us right between the eyes. “Much will be required by the person entrusted with much.” If we start to get cocky or condescending saying, “I am so much better at practicing my faith than that person. I will surely get a place of honor in the next life” we are in for a big surprise. The Lord does not give us an easy path, he expects us to work hard with what we have. (I would not want to be the Pope.)
Today the logic brings us to our final place. What we are given must be used as well as we can. It should be apparent to all we meant that we have been given this gift. It will be what we are asked for on the last day. Let us pray that we pass that test.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is The Worship of Mammon, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1909
No comments:
Post a Comment