First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9
Reflection:
This Sunday’s first reading from the book of Wisdom speaks of the passover, which was first celebrated during the time of the Exodus when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and to the Promised Land. The passover represented the faithfulness of God to the Israelites and was a way for them to express their faith in Him. Even if they did not see the fulfillment of the promises given to them by God, they trusted in His sovereign love for them. By trusting in God, they found courage to walk this journey of life. And they trusted that everything would work out in the end because God is in control, even though they did not know what the future would bring, or fully understand God’s plan.
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Reflection:
Hebrews chapter eleven could be called the “Hall of Faith.” It recounts the deeds of many of the great figures of the Old Testament and commends them for their faith in God, putting them forward as examples for us. Abraham is one of the main figures in this chapter and is the focus of this Sunday’s reading. Abraham trusted in God, even when what God was asking him to do did not make sense. For example, Abraham obeyed God’s call to leave his homeland and travel to a place he did not know. He followed God to the Promised Land, not knowing what he would find when he got there, but trusting that God knew what is best. Abraham also trusted God when told that he and Sarah would have a child, even though Sarah was barren and in her nineties. As a result of his faith, Abraham’s descendants are “as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.” Abraham further trusted God when told to sacrifice his son, Isaac, believing that God could raise Isaac from the dead. Through the example of Abraham we learn that faith means entrusting ourselves to God’s plans and obeying Him, even when we do not understand. Although we do not know the future, God does. So even when we cannot see how things will work out or understand how what God wants us to do is best, we can trust that he knows what he is doing. And, like Abraham, we can put our faith into action.
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:32-48
Reflection:
In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus calls us to store up treasure in heaven, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” It is easy to get caught up in the things of this world. We can become consumed with our belongings, the pursuit of success, our jobs, and many other things on this earth. But none of this will matter in the end. Life is short and we cannot take our belongings with us when we die. All that ultimately matters is whether or not we have trusted in the Lord. No one knows when the Lord will return. It could be today, tomorrow, or hundreds of years from now. Whether it is during our lifetime our not, we still will all meet the Lord at our death. Will we be ready for that encounter? Will we die in faith, like all those in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews, chapter 11? We must prepare ourselves now, for later might be too late. Faith, therefore, is not something we should put off. It can be easy to think something like, “I’ll be more serious about my faith later when I have more time to devote to it,” or, “I’ll practice my faith more regularly once I’ve gotten a few other things in order in my life.” But there may not be a later. For we never know when it is time for us to meet the Lord, whether through His return or our death.
Application:
- How would you rate your level of trust in God? What can you learn from Abraham about faith? How can you emulate his faith in your own life?
- Will you be prepared to meet the Lord when your time comes? What needs to change in your life to be ready for that encounter?
