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7th Aug 2022 

Homily for 19th 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.” Today most of us have become successful but not faithful. We like to become Successful people but not faithful. As per the modern criteria perhaps success could mark the splendor and glory of each one’s life in the modern world but faith in God and faithfulness to God gives us an indelible identity and that’s the reality of life we are called to live. If we are faithful to God and his way, our lives will be a successful one. The journey of faith may seemingly 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.” In the first reading we hear of 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 harms and danger as the people of Israel are treasured possession of God. 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 times, 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 lead away from God and we get entangled in evil ways. We are brought into judgment before the mercy seat of God. The one form of our faithfulness to God that we could manifest is our loyalty to each other in relationships. Our faithful relationship in the religious community, in families among couples, parents and children will enable us to become God’s children.

2.     Have faith in God:

Friends, faith in God is the determining factor to make a progressive journey towards the spiritual path in life. 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. The reading 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.

Therefore, 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.

3.     Be faithful:

The Gospel reading of the day invites us to be faithful. There are various points given to understand who are faithful persons 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 would receive their pay accordingly each according to their responsibility and their service.

The Gospel reading also reminds us that whosoever is given more will be required of him more and whosoever is entrusted lot will be demanded lot. It is an indication if you are capable of doing more, more will be entrusted, expected and demanded from you. 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. Not using our talents and resources is as equal as sinning against God or disrespecting the gifts that God has given 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 yet if we remain faithful to God we shall obtain reward from God.

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...

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