Walking with Jesus: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, August 7, 2022

Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-22, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48

I spent 17 years teaching Religion in Catholic High Schools, then five more in administration. Let’s take a journey back to those years. Remember the shock you felt as a student when the teacher “greeted” you as class began with the announcement,  “Clear your desks, take out a sheet of paper … we are having a pop quiz” ... or test ... or some other surprise? As a teacher, I heard: “You didn’t tell us you were going to do this” … “We’re not prepared” … “Is this going to count?” ... “Can we have a little time to study?” ... “I’ve been sick and missed the last two classes!” Excuses galore. And today Jesus tells us: “You also must be prepared for an hour you do not expect, the Son of man will come.” [Luke 12:40]

I think the best way to get in touch with the context of today’s readings is to focus on remembrances and hope: looking back on the outstanding, heroic, courageous, beautiful people God has placed in our lives; ones we believed took “an express elevator directly to heaven.” Their life lessons showed us Life is Worth Living. (Which happens to be the title of Bishop Sheen’s television show which aired from 1952 to 1957 and whose reruns can still be seen today). Those lessons also revealed that Jesus’ promises and God’s revelations in scripture promise us eternal life.

Jesus’ death and resurrection showed us the way and purpose of all humanity’s existence. He said: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Myself.” [John 12:32] As a result, all people from all times and places have been promised eternity because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. As Fr. Henri Nouwen expressed in Bread for the Journey: A Day book of Wisdom and Faith, “Not one person from the past, present or future is excluded from the great passage of Jesus from slavery to freedom, from the land of captivity to the promised land, from death to eternal life.”

Let's check in with the final portion of the Book of Wisdom. The night of the Passover is the final and most dramatic of God’s works in Egypt. (See Exodus chapters 12 and 13.) This night marks the fulfillment of God’s promise in forming the faithful, covenant people. They have put their faith in Abraham and his promised successors. They have heard the pledge of the “Promised Land.” This marks the beginning of their journey to this land and God’s promise to protect them. They celebrate the Passover in secret. Each family prepares a meal of lamb. The people continue to be formed under the wisdom that only God can give.

Paul spells out to the Hebrews what their ancestors have taught them. Abraham and Sarah listened to God’s word and maintained deep faith in God during difficult and testing times because they believed firmly in God’s power to do what is humanly impossible. They were blessed with a promised son, Isaac. What are the Hebrews to do? Paul repeats his answer five times: Faith. The faith of Abraham. “Realization of what is hoped for” [Hebrews 11:1] points to the recognition and acceptance of God’s promises for those who persevere. It is especially noted in those who have attested to God’s truthfulness in ages past.

Jesus has been urging His disciples to maintain courage in the face of persecutions. They are to trust that the Holy Spirit will guide them and that God will provide for them. It is easy to plan for that future moment and forget they are living in the now moment with all its persecutions, distractions from living the life of forgiveness, love and compassion. We just have to be ready, even for “pop quizzes” … unforeseen and unpleasant situations in our lives. Jesus is saying to the Hebrews and each of us that we should not relax in our eagerness and devotion in following Him. In every circumstance we are called to love our neighbors, especially our enemies; and to remain faithful in prayer ... even when it seems dry and made-up ... and be aware of the movements of the Spirit in our lives. Be ready: Am I? Do I continually ask the Spirit for the help I need to be Jesus?

So I reflect on:

• How is it more difficult to do the right thing when no one is looking?
• How can I continue to bear good fruit, no matter what is going on around me?
• Have I ever considered making a comment or writing a note of thanks to someone who does good without being seen?
  

Sacred Space 2022 states:

“Once more, Jesus reminds us to be watchful, making sure we are awake when the master comes. I ask for His help not to live a distracted life, so that when Jesus comes into my life, in a way and at a time I do not expect, through events and persons, He finds me ready to welcome Him. I look at my day so far, at yesterday, and see how aware I have been to God’s coming into my life, in so many ways. I ask for the grace not to be deaf to His call, and always ready to respond to the best of my ability.”