Daily Reflection – Aug 7, 2016

Sunday 7 August 2016

First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9
Responsorial Psalm:
Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own
Psalm 32(33):1, 12, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:32-48

Today’s Note: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Reflection:

The Lord knocks at the door – Who will answer?

What is the greatest joy and treasure we could possibly possess? The Lord Jesus promises that those who seek God and his kingdom first will not be disappointed (Luke 12:32, Matthew 6:33). The Lord Jesus offers us the greatest treasure possible – but we must first seek it and make it our true joy and possession above all else. We naturally want to have and keep whatever we think will bring us happiness, peace, and security. Jesus offers a priceless treasure and source of abundant joy and security that is worth selling all else for.

‘Do not be afraid’, Jesus says to us all, yet fear permeates our society; fear of unemployment, fear of financial loss, fear of misadventure, fear of illness, and so the list goes on. We spend time worrying about things over which we have very little control anyway. Jesus tells us to spend the time we have to be ready to receive Him.

As faithful disciples Jesus calls us to have an attitude of readiness and hope, however long the waiting may be. Faithful disciples will prepare for their meeting with the Lord by giving themselves generously to the daily activities of life in a just, humble and loving manner. When the Lord does come the fulfilment of hope will exceed all expectations and imaginings.

“Lord Jesus, you alone are my treasure and the joy of my heart. Lord, give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me. May there be nothing in this world that holds me back from giving you my all – you are my all, my life and joy now and forever.”