(Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Luke 12:32-48)
Just over 100 years ago the soon to be Canonised Pier Giorgio Frassati wrote “The Faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the centre of all your action, then you will reach the goal“.[1] This short sentence sums up today’s scripture readings perfectly.
In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom we hear the confidence of faith in words like ‘known beforehand’, ‘sure knowledge’, ‘oaths in which they trusted’ ‘expected by your people’. These are not just words of hope these are words which demonstrate that these people believed in the promises of God and that they had certainty that God would deliver on His promises.
In the second reading we hear from the Letter to the Hebrews which outlines several acts of faith principally through the actions of Abraham and Sarah; all of these actions grounded in faith. The faith demonstrated by Abraham, is nothing short of remarkable. First of all, he believed God’s promise and set out on a journey not knowing where he was going. Do any of us know where our journey of faith will take us? We know where we hope it will take us, but we have no idea of the adventures on the way. Next Abraham and Sarah trusted in God when they promised them an heir while they were elderly and that their offspring would number the stars in the sky and be as difficult to count as the grains of sand on the seashore. For man these things are impossible, but not for God, as Pier Giorgio said “by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the centre of all your action, then you will reach the goal.”
However, it is in today’s Gospel; which picks up a theme from last week’s Gospel, where we heard about the wealthy man who built bigger barns to hoard his belongings; that we are reminded that where we see our treasure; that is where our heart will be. That will be where we focus our energies.
The disciples are urged to sell their possessions, to help them keep their whole focus on serving the Lord. They are encouraged to always be ready. This is not just a warning of not being caught out; this is a clear message to us to live out our faith. We are not meant just to come to Mass on Sunday and then go off and do whatever we please, this is not a ‘tick box exercise’.
If we look at ourselves carefully and honestly, can we really say that we are ready to face the Lord? I know that I need to work harder to be ready. Too often in the past and sometimes even now, I know that my focus has not been right. My attention is drawn to worldly things, possessions, gadgets, other ‘must have’ items, which do nothing to get me to my heavenly home. I can find myself wasting time by playing puzzles; time which could be better spent in prayer. I can fritter away time reading Facebook or Twitter; time which could be spent reading Scriptures. I wrote this last paragraph three years ago for these readings, and I’m sorry to say that I am disappointed to realise that I still have the same issues, maybe even worse. I need to work harder to put God at the centre of my life.
These things which drain time from my day are not life giving, I need to look at how I use my time and make changes.
Which activities drain time from your day?
Are any of these taking the place of time with Jesus or time with your loved ones?
Are these becoming the ‘treasure’ referred to by Jesus in the Gospel?
For me this is a wake-up call. I don’t seem to have made any headway in the last three years on this time wasting and I need to put my faith into action and develop my prayer life better. Jesus’ words towards the end of the Gospel reading ‘the servant who knew his master’s will but who did not get ready or act according to his master’s will’ and the last words ‘from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more’. Remind us that through our baptism we have been brought into God’s family, we have been entrusted with much. Through my marriage and ordination, I have been entrusted with even more.
Last week Pam and I were doing some work in the Garden, we had a plan and when what I thought was the only job was completed, Pam suggested starting another job. I was livid, thinking my day had been hijacked, but I kept the anger to myself, getting more and more frustrated and angry as the second job progressed. Pam couldn’t understand where this had come from, and eventually things came to a head. My anger and frustration was not life giving and was definitely not storing up treasure for me. This week just after I had completed my first draft of this reflection Pam asked me to help her with another job in the garden. Working on this reflection helped me to realise that Pam is one of my treasures and I need to make sure she knows I value her. The job this week was completed in a loving way, with nice conversations along the way instead of my cold silent anger from the week before. Maybe I am starting to learn.
If I am to live out my vocations fully, I need to make sure that I am prepared well for the day when the Bridegroom calls. For me this means using the time I have left more effectively.
When you hear God’s words today, what do you need to do to get ready to meet the Bridegroom?
Further Reading
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 144-149: the obedience of faith
CCC 1817-1821: the virtue of hope
CCC 2729-2733: prayer as humble vigilance of heart
CCC 144-146, 165, 2572, 2676: Abraham, a model of faith
Please keep in your prayers this week
- Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
- All those on holiday or who are travelling, that they have a safe trip and re-charge their batteries.
- Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
- Those waiting on the results of academic exams, that they may be rewarded for the work they have put in and that whatever the results are they can see the path God wants them to take.
- Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
- Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
- Fr Stephen as he prepares to come to the pastoral area and for the parishioners and relationships he leaves behind
- For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme.
- That a way to feed the starving in Gaza can be found that is fair and does not pose a danger to those who are starving or the aid workers.
Deacon Tony
9th August 2025.