kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 7, 2025

Wisdom 9:13-18

Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

Philemon 9-10,12-17

Luke 14:25-33

This Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, is the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. The scripture readings for today offer another insight into the hard life as a Christian. I have talked about this a little in previous posts, but I will say it again here. Being a Christian is difficult. It’s not easy to follow Jesus. The life of a believer, requires total commitment for true discipleship, and, as it says in the day’s readings, wisdom in order to follow Christ.

I’m sure we have heard at some point or another, or perhaps said it ourselves. We should “Follow God’s plan” or “God has a plan for you.” These are nice thoughts, but what do they mean? How do we know if we are following God’s plan? There comes Wisdom. It says in the first reading, “For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail.” (Wisdom 9:14, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition) Here, the author of this book is looking at the limits of human understanding and the need to look beyond ourselves. Look for divine wisdom to try to understand God’s plan with the help of the Holy Spirit to hopefully guide us on the correct path.

In the second reading, St. Paul appeals to his friend Philemon to accept back his runaway slave, Onesimus, but this time as a brother in Christ. Paul stresses the importance that the Gospel has transformed their relationship, elevating it beyond normal social conventions.

It appears this passage provides a concrete example of the transformative power of Christian discipleship. The call to follow Christ requires a radical change in perspective that can shatter social norms. It calls followers to see others, regardless of their status, as equals and family in the Lord. 

The first reading sets the stage for the Gospel. We cannot follow Christ and understand the challenging demands of discipleship with our limited human minds alone. We must humbly rely on God’s grace and the Holy Spirit for true understanding and guidance – wisdom. In the gospel reading from Luke, Jesus delivers a challenging message to the large crowds following him, warning them about the high cost of discipleship. Jesus uses a startling word to the crowds who were following him. He says, “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). It is a strong word, but he uses it to emphasize that loyalty to him must take priority over all earthly relationships and attachments, which still may sound harsh – but again – the life of a Christian is not easy.

In his speech to his followers, he also asks them to essentially carry their own cross. I believe this means we must be willing to endure hardship and make sacrifices for the Gospel. Additionally, Jesus uses parables here as well, as Jesus spoke a lot in parables. The parables he tells are about building a tower and a king going to war to illustrate that commitment to the Christian life must be calculated and total. It is foolish to begin something so demanding without a full commitment to finishing it.

It seems the main idea, or central message, for today is that it is a reality check for anyone who would follow Jesus. It makes it clear that discipleship is not a casual or easy path but one that requires prioritizing Christ above all else, renouncing worldly possessions and comforts, and willingly embracing the burdens that come with a life devoted to God. 

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 faith

Today’s Word: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 3, 2025

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

Luke 12:13-21

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). The Preacher, or in some translations “Qoheleth,” is a character in this book that is traditionally associated with Solomon, son of David, and he cries out these verses in the first chapter in today’s readings. I believe there is a theme running through today’s scriptures that is a powerful one to dive into.

That theme is VANITY! The character Qoheleth derives from the Hebrew word for assembly, “qahal.” So this is linked to someone who traditionally would speak in front of an assembly of people. The passage today is only four verses, however it is summed up later in Chapter 2. We find in verse 26 of the second chapter, all of human thought and effort is futile, Vanity, pointing out that with God comes true wisdom and joy. “For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This is also vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 2:23/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). This emphasizes the point that with God comes true joy and happiness.

The Psalm reflects this idea of working and toiling away here on earth is vanity and true joy and wisdom comes from God, as it says in Verse 12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

The second reading today teaches us the same thing. Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians opens in Chapter 3 with “If then you have been raised, with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). He further explains to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,” and to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:2, 5/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).

The gospel reading today reminds us to be vain or selfish. We are here to serve others, just as Jesus came to serve others. The scripture in Luke’s Gospel tells of the parable of the Rich Fool. It’s a story Jesus tells the people to be wary of covetousness, which is part of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shall not covet.” He tells one man, “Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). In the parable, a rich man has so many crops that he ends up tearing down his barns to make bigger ones in order to store all the crops. He tells himself that he has a luxurious life now and does not bother to share his abundance with others. So the Lord God says to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20/RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition). God is saying those who set up riches on earth for themselves have no riches toward God. 

So I believe we need to share and care for others when we can. Love others. Do good unto others. That is what Jesus did.

Now, I will leave you with this verse, “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26, RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition).