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(10th August 2025) Homily for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

READ: (Wis 18:6-9; Heb 11: 1-2, 8-12; Lk 12: 32-48)

REFLECT: Be Faithful to God in all Things…

Dear friends, the familiar quote that we heard from the mouth of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata is, “God has not called me to be successful but faithful.” Yes, we always like to become successful people but we fail to be faithful. As per the modern criteria with its views perhaps success marks the splendor and glory in one’s life but if we realize that faith in God and faithfulness to God gives us an indelible identity in the world and the world to enter next. That’s the reality of life we are called to live. Today most of us have become successful but not faithful. If we are faithful to God and his ways, our lives will be successful till the end. Let us understand that the journey of faith may seem harder and tested by crisis but faith is a path that leads us to real success in life. So based on the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection.

1. Faithfulness of God:

As someone has very beautifully said, “Faithfulness of God is the Generosity of God and his divine favor over us.” Yes, God’s faithfulness is purely his generosity. The faithfulness of God is seen in his promises. He never takes back his word. Every promise he has made he fulfills, although we don’t deserve it. God’s faithfulness is not based on our actions that we do, because the nature of God is to be faithful, because he loves us. The faithfulness of God can be witnessed by the act of his mercy and forgiveness. In spite of our failures and faults, he forgives us always. Thus, faithfulness is God’s constant nature and his nature will never change, because he never abandons us, his children. This faithfulness of God is seen in our daily provision and protection God offers us always. This develops intimacy and trust in God.

That’s what we hear in the first reading about God’s faithfulness. The first reading from the book of wisdom speaks of that night on which the first born of the Egyptians were killed and the forefathers were warned over the death of the First born (Exo 6:6; 11:4) (Exo 4:22-23 and Exo 11-12) and  delivered Israelites from the bondage. It reminds us of the promise that God had made to the ancestors that he would make the descendents of Abraham as many as stars in heaven and he would protect Israelites, the chosen one of God  from all harm and danger. It is because God considered the people of Israel as his treasured possession. We see here the faithfulness of God to the promise or the covenant that he had made with the patriarchs and the people of Israel. Even if we remain unfaithful to God, God always remains faithful because he loves us unconditionally.

Most of the time, we take the faithfulness of God for granted, because we receive it freely and unconditionally. We feel it as a kind of license or liberty in doing whatever we feel or wish. In reality it is not we deceive God rather we deceive ourselves. Because of our faithlessness we are led away from God and we get entangled in evil ways. We are brought into judgment before the mercy seat of God for our failures and faithless living. The one form of our faithfulness to God that we could manifest is our loyalty to each other in relationships. This is the need of the hour. Our faithful relationship in the religious community, in families among couples, parents and children will enable us to become God’s children. Let us take to heart that loyal life is perhaps a royal life, even without money and wealth. Faithfulness to God is the strong key that opens doors to eternal life with God in heaven. May we tread on the path of faithfulness to God and to one another to live in union with God.

2. Have faith in God:

We might ask ourselves, “Why do we need to have faith in God?” It is because to enjoy the privileges of life on earth and thereafter in heaven. We need to have faith in God as God is good, loving, kind and merciful. Faith in God is the determining factor to make a progressive journey towards the spiritual path in life. Faith in God is not just merely believing what God can but relying on the perfect time of God, when he opens. Faith in God is that we walk even when we are not able to see what is far ahead of us in life. We move forward without having all the answers and believing that God would answer us when we trust and hope in him completely.

That’s what we hear in the second reading of the day. The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews reminds us what it means to have faith. The meaningful description of faith is given that faith is the assurance of things we hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. It reminds us as well the faith of Abraham and Sarah in the power and blessings of God. Both of them for their trust and confidence in God obtained favor from God. Abraham obtained a favor from God that his descendents would be as many as stars from heaven and Sarah obtained a child in her old age, which in the human eyes is an impossibility. Thus, faith in God never goes in vain rather it is a gain.

Today we need to cross check our faith level. Is it that we have no faith at all or our faith is half-hearted or whole-hearted?  Without faith in God we can never hope for or be assured for better things in life. With half-hearted faith in God we would just sway in the air without any purpose in life but with a whole-hearted faith in God, we shall obtain all favors possible from God. For faith in God gives meaning to life and makes the journey of life joyful and peaceful although many who profess the faith are tested but are never abandoned by God. That’s the power we obtain by our faith in God.

That’s what Pope Leo has rightly noted to live happily and in peace what we require by saying, “we are called to place our hope in Jesus Christ. The baptized are the salt of the earth and the world and emphasized that the Church also needs their beautiful witness of faith to grow further and be close to every person in need.” Yes, we need to place our hope and faith in Christ Jesus and bear witness to God in faith. Today, our expressions of faith can be witnessed by giving importance to reading the word of God and living the word of God in life; we could surround ourselves with people who are faith-filled and faithful to God at all times; we could as well remember the past victories and glories in life, how God made possible to enjoy those privileged moments. Let us realize that God works in ways that we may not see, understand or feel, but God works if we trust and entrust our lives to God in faith.

3. Be faithful:

We all know that being faithful to God is the most powerful and central theme in the scriptures. Every episode in the bible centers our lives in faith and a call to be faithful to God. When we say to others, “be faithful”, we intend them to be true, loyal, and consistent and constantly trust in our relationship with God and with one another. No matter what happens in life, whether it is hard or good times, we stay attuned to God, true and trust in God. God values and rewards those who don’t give up easily when it is hard to stay committed and remain true to him.  We could call this aspect and attitude of life as integrity and honesty. Thus, it is a call to be faithful to God and to one another in life.

That’s what we see in the Gospel reading of the day, which invites us to be faithful. There are various points given to us to understand who faithful persons are and what the faithful persons would do in life. The faithful person will treasure in heart what is best and praise worthy. The faithful person will be vigilant even if the master comes an hour unknown and unexpected. The faithful person would do his or her job even when the master is away. But we are given surety to both faithful and faithless servants who would receive their pay accordingly, each according to the display of their responsibility and service in life.

The Gospel reading also reminds us that whosoever is given more will be required of him more and whosoever is entrusted a lot will be demanded a lot. It is an indication if you are capable of doing more, more will be entrusted, expected and demanded. There are many amidst us, who are talented and resourceful but we don’t utilize the resources that we have or given. We wait for someone to push us forward or we don’t take interest or we feel ‘why me’ let someone else do or we waste the talents and resources we have. Let us remember that not using our talents and resources is as equal as sinning against God or disrespecting the gifts that God has bestowed on us. So like a faithful servant who does everything well even if he has to undergo suffering, even if no one supports, even if people avoid and ignore, if we remain faithful to God we shall obtain reward from God in abundance.

I would like to recall and share what Pope Leo very beautifully shared while urging the catechumens to bear witness to Christ and become missionary disciples: “Don’t limit yourselves to theoretical knowledge, but live your faith in a concrete way, experiencing God’s love in your daily lives. The journey of faith can be long and sometimes difficult, but don’t be discouraged, because God is always present to sustain you.” Yes, our life is a journey of faith. Life can be rough and tough but God can make our path smooth, provided we are faithful to God in all that we do or entrusted.

Today, in what ways we can be faithful to God and to one another is what needs to be answered. We could be faithful to God by fulfilling the promises that we make, even if it is small; we could be faithful to God by consistently and constantly offering ourselves in prayer, service, love and commitment to God; we could be faithful to God by remaining faithful in our commitments to God in life; we could be faithful to God by offering our talents and resources for God’s work and for the good of others; we could be faithful to God by showing others how much God loves us in our weaknesses and vulnerability. Let our prayer be, “Lord, help me to be a faithful servant.”

RESPOND:

Do we take the faithfulness of God for granted? Do we have faith in God? Could we make efforts to be faithful to God in ways that are small and great?

What is my faith level? Do I have faith in God or in worldly powers and pleasures?

Are we faithful to God in utilizing the resources and talents that God has blessed us with?

Vigilant faith not only performs good works like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed truths quickly and with great depth and subtly of perception. It is active and diligent in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it. It watches and perceives from afar all its enemies. It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil. It guards itself against anything which could ruin it. (Sermons of SFS for Lent, from Spoonful of Honey III, the book compiled by Fr. Baviri Suresh Babu, p. 42)

God bless us all! Live Jesus