kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 10, 2025

Wisdom 18:6-9

Psalms 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Luke 12:32-48

The readings for this Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, call us, I believe, to reflect on the nature of faith, vigilance, and the true treasure we are called to seek. Seeking a true treasure (a treasure above), continues from last week’s readings. In the gospel last week, if you remember, was the parable of the rich fool. He had an abundance of crops and goods that he built larger barns to store everything. And he basically sat back and enjoyed his time because he had so much, while not bothering to share his abundance with others. Again, we are called to share and help. Those who do not, for selfish or other reasons, do not build themselves toward God, where true treasure is. As Jesus says in today’s gospel, which we will get to later, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” (Luke 12:34). As the preacher exclaimed last week in Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities,” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). All life seems to be vanity. Work, money, power, earthly possessions are not what really matters. St. Paul wrote, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,” (Colossians 3:2). This is a sentiment we read about last week. It carries over to this week. The theme that ties these readings together today is the steadfast trust we must place in God, even when the future is uncertain.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom takes us back to the night of the first Passover. It speaks of the Israelites’ faith, as they waited in their homes, ready to move, while the angel of death passed over Egypt, “so that they might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted,” (Wisdom 18:6). Their hope was not in what they could see, but in the promise of God. This ancient story sets the stage for a profound understanding of faith – it is a confidence in what is unseen, a certainty that God will be faithful to his promises.

This idea is further developed in the second reading in the letter to the Hebrews. St. Paul writes, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” (Hebrews 11:1). This passage offers a beautiful and concise definition of faith. It then presents the patriarch Abraham as a prime example of faith. Abraham was called by God to go to a land he did not know. He left his home, his past, his security and all he knew before. He relied fully on the strength of God’s word. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac andJacob, heirs with him of the same promise,” (Hebrews 11:9). Abraham’s journey reminds us that a life of faith is often a pilgrimage, requiring us to trust in God’s guidance even when the path ahead is unclear.

The passage from St. Luke today shifts the focus from faith to vigilance, though the two are deeply intertwined. Jesus begins with the comforting words, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom,” (Luke 12:32). I think this is a profound statement of God’s generosity and our inheritance. Then, Jesus immediately follows with a call to action, “Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys,” (Luke 12:33). This treasure is not earthly wealth, but the good works and faith that last forever.

Jesus then uses parables to stress the importance of being ready for the Master’s return. The ones who are readying themselves with good works and almsgiving are actively living their faith, prepared for whatever God calls them to do, at any time. 

The parable of the dishonest steward serves as a stark warning against laziness and presumption. Those who know God’s will but fail to act accordingly will be held to a higher standard. “And the servant who knew his master’s will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating,” (Luke 12:47). This part of the gospel challenges us to ask ourselves: Am I actively living my faith, or am I just passively waiting? Remember, Jesus said, “You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Luke 12:40).

It seems the Responsorial Psalm ties everything together with a prayer of trust and hope, “Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and our shield. Yes, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you,” (Psalm 33:20-22). It expresses the longing of a people who have heard God’s promises and now plead for them to be fulfilled. It’s a perfect response to the other readings, as it expresses both the faithful waiting of the Israelites in the First Reading and the hope-filled conviction of Abraham in the Second Reading.

In all, these readings remind us that a life of faith is not static; it is dynamic and active. It is a journey of trust in the unseen, a constant state of readiness, and a commitment to seeking the eternal treasure that God has promised. So, our response must be to live with an Abraham-like faith and a watchful heart, always prepared to meet the Lord.

kellym40 General

Love and Be Blessed

Many times in our lives we may not feel blessed. Or we may not feel like we’re worthy of God’s love and blessings. We may go so far as to think, at times, that we don’t deserve His love and blessings.

In John 8, it begins with the scribes and the Pharisees who brought to Jesus, a woman who committed adultry. When he told those present that anyone without sin be the first to cast a stone upon her. No one did. And eventually, all of them went away. This represents God’s mercy and love. You can never be too far gone that you will not be able to receive God’s love.
This brings me to today’s verse.

Today’s verse I would like to share with you comes from Deuteronomy 30:16. It says, “For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

It seems you are never too far gone. No one is ever very far away from the Lord. That’s what this verse says. We are all special children of God. We are blessed. If we obey what He has set out for us and follow in His ways, we are blessed. The first verse of Psalm 112 says, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in is commandments.”

There will be hardships and difficult times that we endure. But God is there. We may not fully understand the situations at the time, but know that He is there. Having faith is trusting in God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

As I said last week, to be a light for others. When you are blessed, you can go forth and share that blessing with others. You can be a blessing to them.

God wants nothing more than to love us. We are His children. We are His flock, Jesus is our shepherd. Set your hearts and mind to honor Him and keep His commandments, just as He told Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”

Here is a little prayer to ask God to help you love and be blessed: “God, please teach me how love and obedience work toether. Please help me to love You through obedience. And please help me to obey You out of Love. Amen.”