THE DAILY GOSPEL

August 11, 2013 Sunday 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalter: Week 3 Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22 Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

1st Reading: Wis 18:6-9

That night had been foretold to our ancestors, and knowing in what promise they trusted, they could rejoice in all surety.

Your people waited for both the salvation of the just and the downfall of their enemies, for the very punishment of our enemies brought glory to the people you have called—that is, to us.

The holy race secretly offered the Passover sacrifice and really agreed on this worthy pact: That they would share alike both blessings and dangers. And forthwith they began to sing the hymns of their fathers. 2nd Reading: Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 (or Heb 11:1-2, 8-12)

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see. Because of their faith our ancestors were approved.

It was by faith that Abraham, called by God, set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance; for he parted without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a stranger in that promised land. There he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, beneficiaries of the same promise. Indeed, he looked forward to that city of solid foundation of which God is the architect and builder.

By faith Sarah herself received power to become a mother, in spite of her advanced age; since she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful. Therefore, from an almost impotent man were born descendants as numerous as the stars of heavens, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Death found all these people strong in their faith. They had not received what was promised, but they had looked ahead and had rejoiced in it from afar, saying that they were foreigners and travelers on earth. Those who speak in this way prove that they are looking for their own country. For if they had longed for the land they had left, it would have been easy for them to return, but no, they aspired to a better city, that is, a supernatural one; so God, who prepared the city for them is not ashamed of being called their God.

By faith Abraham went to offer Isaac when God tested him. And so he who had received the promise of God offered his only son although God had told him: Isaac’s descendants will bear your name. Abraham reasoned that God is capable even of raising the dead, and he received back his son, which has a figurative meaning. Gospel: Lk 12:32-48 (or Lk 12:35-40)

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, and make safe investments with God, where no thief comes and no moth destroys. For where your investments are, there will your heart be also.

Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding. As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open to him. Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron and have them sit at table and he will wait on them. Happy are those servants if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak!

Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward whom the master sets over his other servants to give them food rations at the proper time. Fortunate is this servant if his master on coming home finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.

But it may be that the steward thinks: ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the menservants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk. Then the master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows; but the one who did what deserved a punishment without knowing it shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more. Reflection:

Read: The readings focus on the theme of faith in God and desire for His Kingdom. God’s people trusted in His promise and celebrated the Passover. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob lived and died by faith even when they did not see the final fulfillment of God’s promise. Through the parable of the faithful servant, Jesus invites us to take our inheritance seriously and invest in God.

Reflect: The book of Wisdom reveals that the people of God agreed to the pact by which “they would share alike both blessings and dangers.” Faith involves receiving blessings from God as well as walking a dangerous path. Storing up treasure in heaven and investing in God do not guarantee exception from trials. Our mothers and fathers in faith understood this, and they consented to it. How willing am I to agree to this pact by which I would share in both blessings and dangers?

Pray: We pray for the grace of perseverance in faith. We pray for all those who begin earnestly the journey of faith, but fall along the way when trials meet them on the way.

Listen: I am God’s servant. What does my Master want of me?

Act: Talk to someone who has lost faith in God. Share with him/her how faith involves receiving both blessings and trials.