Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalms 32(33); Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48
The unseen reality
Dear friends, today is the nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings today invite us to reflect upon our convictions about the things we believe in. Last Sunday, we discussed how self-interest has infiltrated our society, and very few people work for the common good without expecting additional rewards beyond their rightful dues. Before people take up a task, they ask what they will get in return. Before they award tenders, they ask what their cut will be. Similarly, I have heard people asking what they will get from church every Sunday. What do you think you get by going to Church?
Faith is purely based on the conviction that the promises made will be fulfilled. About faith, there is nothing to hold on to except the hope in the promises made. In the first reading, the people held on to what was promised to their ancestors, and this made them persevere through all the sufferings. Numerous times, God saved the people of Israel from their enemies based on the promises He had made to their forefathers. The coming of Christ was the climax of the fulfillment of the promise made to the people of Israel. As believers, the reference for our faith is the Pascal events that took place more than 2000 years ago.
In the second reading, the letter to the Hebrews refers to the person of Abraham, who, because of his deep faith in God, became the father of all who believe even to this day. In the person of Abraham, we find the model of a true believer. He believed in the unseen promises and entrusted his life to realities that were then only promises. Today, modern empiricism defines religion. Many people want to see miracles before they believe. This contradicts the very definition of faith: belief in a reality that cannot be perceived by physical senses. Science itself has demonstrated that the reality our senses can perceive is so small compared to what we cannot perceive.
By faith, Abraham left his ancestral land for a land he did not know; by faith, Sarah was able to bear a son at her very old age. By faith, Abraham was ready to sacrifice the only son who held the future of his name. Though Abraham knew that he would not live long enough to see all the promises God made to him, he had enough faith to begin the journey. It would be interesting to see how much you and I are prepared to do by faith. God does not meet us physically but through signs and symbols. It is not the physical eyes that see God, but our faith. The physical eyes that saw the forbidden fruit as good for food (Gen 3:6) lost the dignity and capability to perceive God. Only through faith can we help see God. Stop wasting time and money chasing empirical miracles because not even the so-called miracle workers can see Him.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus reveals a human reality that continues to define our lives: “Where one’s treasure is, there also his or her heart.” There are many people who do not observe days of worship because they are busy looking for money. If you are honest with yourselves, you will acknowledge that the few hours that you skip going to Church may not be of any economic value to you. Having faith means hoping for better things beyond the present world. The desire for this reality determines our conduct. Faith makes people act justly, keeps society together, promotes peace, informs good governance, ensures justice and honest public service, and promotes security, among other things.
Jesus reminds us that no one knows the day or the hour. If we knew the day we would die, life would be chaotic. God has deliberately hidden this reality from us. Therefore, we must keep watch unless that day catches us unaware. Many will be caught unaware, and they will be beaten with many strokes. From the one who much has been given, much is demanded in return.
Dear friends, I invite you to reflect upon the responsibilities entrusted to you. Are you giving your best? Is your output equivalent to the capacity God has given? Is your contribution proportionate to your consumption?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 