Walking with Jesus: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, August 10, 2025

Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48


A few personal thoughts to start our reflections today: Where and how did I come to believe and have faith in the important people who have come into my life: parents, siblings, family, teachers, religious figures, bosses, acquaintances? And: Since faith involves trust, acceptance and confidence in someone or something, EVEN WHEN there is uncertainty or lack of complete evidence or proof, how do I process faith in my life? One more: What have I learned from my trials in living my faith when I had to redefine what faith means to me?

Today — in the middle of Ordinary Time — we are confronted with a theme normally associated with the end of the Liturgical Year and the season of Advent: the vigilance that we live a life of faith by looking at examples of faith and the heroes who have witnessed to God and His love for us and our love for Him.

The book of Wisdom was written about 50 years before the coming of Christ. We do not know the author’s name but he was probably a member of the Jewish community at Alexandria in Egypt. He wrote in Greek, speaking in the person of Solomon — the wise son of David — to emphasize the importance of his writings. He emphasizes the providence of God in sparing the people of Israel from Egypt’s slavery. These people had placed their trust in the promises of God, which was a very strong biblical theme. They were waiting but they did not know for what; they were waiting but not knowing in whom they had put their trust. But they knew they would be saved and their enemies destroyed. God reversed the fates of the Israelites and the Egyptians, glorifying the former and punishing the latter. God brought glory to the Israelites, yet Israel maintained steadfastly that the glory belonged to God. In our lives, do we give glory to God for all He has done for us? Or do we take the credit?

The Psalm Response tells us: “Blessed the people God has chosen to be His own.” [Psalm 33:12]

The first verse of Hebrews is one of the best-known passages from Scripture, depicting Paul’s position that faith is more an openness of the mind and heart than a set of theological concepts. He illustrates the faith in Abraham's acceptance of God's call to leave the home of his father and go to a land God would show him — a land Abraham would receive as an inheritance [Genesis 12]. Why did Abraham do this? Paul says it was because of his faith that Abraham obeyed. He left certainty to go to uncertainty: Paul likens this to the early Christians who, in the midst of trials and sufferings, had a desire for their heavenly home promised by Jesus. Do I have that same desire? Is heaven my final goal in life, or am I focused on the success of my family, the comfortableness of my job, and the relaxation and enjoyment of my later years? Does heaven enter into my life’s picture? Abraham was even willing to sacrifice Isaac to forfeit his future and the future of his household. He believed in God’s ability to bring life where there is no life — and Abraham did receive Isaac’s life back, just as God gave Jesus’ life back!

Luke’s gospel proceeds with three themes: a teaching on possessions (vv. 32-34), a story that demonstrates the importance of watchfulness (vv. 35-40), and a primer on responsible leadership; i.e., how do I carry out my responsibilities while the master is away? (vv. 41-48). Now it’s important to know that Jesus does not denounce material possessions as such but only their accumulation, since these can stand in our way of trusting God and concentrating our energies on the things of God — which include our care of the poor, those in need, and those who come for help — even when we don't know that it could be God who is sending someone to me at a particular time. Jesus tells us that watchfulness is definitely needed. AND, Jesus is linking this with the coming of the Son of Man (at our individual death): Since we have no idea when He will arrive, the loyal servants (us) must be prepared at all times. Peter asks Jesus that since His followers live accordingly, is the parable meant for each of us, here and now? Jesus says YES — as managers of the house (where we are at this particular time), we are divinely chosen to be people of love to ourselves, those in our lives, and all others — especially the poor and those in need. I have been given much ... I am accountable for much … much is required of me and I am the one accountable. How am I doing in being a love person — to all — and where do I need God today?

So I reflect on:

• Look at a special individual in your life and jot down a few results of your trust, both of them for you and of you for that person. How does that trust remind you of how to trust God?
• Paul tells us: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith and hope are intimately joined. As believers we are called to trust in the promises of God, even when it seems impossible. Jesus promised a place for each of us. His promise means He gives us help and the way to get there. Am I listening?

Sacred Spaced 2025 states:

“God our Father wants all people to be saved and to possess the kingdom. If He wants it then only we can block it by the misuse of our free will. We should often take to prayer St. Ignatius’s advice to ‘ponder with deep affection how the Lord wishes to give Himself to us.’

“We live out of the desires in our hearts. What is it that I really want? What is my treasure that will not wither away or pour out like water? ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy  burdens and I will give you rest. …For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.’ [Matthew 11: 28-29]”