The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline the essential support that faith gives us to trust that our preparations to encounter Christ will bring fullness of life to ourselves and others.
The reading from the Book of Wisdom tells how the Israelites are spared.
* [18:9] Divine institution: the Passover. Ancestral hymns of praise: possibly the Hallel psalms, the psalms sung at the end of the Passover meal; cf. Mt 26:30; Mk 14:26. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews explains the Meaning of Faith throughout the life of Abraham.
* [11:1–40] This chapter draws upon the people and events of the Old Testament to paint an inspiring portrait of religious faith, firm and unyielding in the face of any obstacles that confront it. These pages rank among the most eloquent and lofty to be found in the Bible. They expand the theme announced in Heb 6:12, to which the author now returns (Heb 10:39). The material of this chapter is developed chronologically. Heb 11:3–7 draw upon the first nine chapters of Genesis (Gn 1–9); Heb 11:8–22, upon the period of the patriarchs; Heb 11:23–31, upon the time of Moses; Heb 11:32–38, upon the history of the judges, the prophets, and the Maccabean martyrs. The author gives the most extensive description of faith provided in the New Testament, though his interest does not lie in a technical, theological definition. In view of the needs of his audience he describes what authentic faith does, not what it is in itself. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke tells the lesson of the vigilant and faithful servants.
* [12:35–48] This collection of sayings relates to Luke’s understanding of the end time and the return of Jesus. Luke emphasizes for his readers the importance of being faithful to the instructions of Jesus in the period before the parousia. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tom Lenz comments that the language that Luke emphasizes such as preparation, keeping watch, and being a faithful and prudent steward seems to be pointing to a way of life rather than a time bound achievement we are used to in today’s world.
It would be impossible to stay awake 24 hours a day, 7 days a week preparing and keeping watch. Rather, modifying the way we live, think, work, relate, and feel in a way that intentionally moves towards God at a fundamental level puts us in a 24/7 position. It seems to me like it’s an intentional movement towards, rather than an achievement focus “I’ve made it” attitude that is necessary to experience the Kingdom of God. This seems apparent when Peter asks Jesus (almost with a certain kind of arrogance) if his parable applies just to them or to everyone. And Jesus’ masterful answer lets the disciples know that this applies to everyone. Almost as if to say, “just because you are in the inner circle, doesn’t mean you are different.” This is intentional work for everyone. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The true meaning of 'loins girded and lamps burning',” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The girding of our loins (Luke 12:25) signifies the readiness of the mind to work hard in every thing praiseworthy. Those who apply themselves to bodily labors and are engaged in strenuous toil have their loins girded. The lamp apparently represents the wakefulness of the mind and intellectual cheerfulness. We say that the human mind is awake when it repels any tendency to slumber off into that carelessness that often is the means of bringing it into subjection to every kind of wickedness. When sunk in stupor, the heavenly light within the mind is liable to be endangered, or even already is in danger from a violent and impetuous blast of wind. Christ commands us to be awake. To this, his disciple also arouses us by saying, 'Be awake. Be watchful' (1 Peter 5:8). Further on, the very wise Paul also says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall give you light' (Ephesians 5:14)." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:32-48 comments as Jesus said in today’s Gospel, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much”.
Yes, much has been entrusted with us—more than we can ever imagine. Today and every day, let’s ask for the grace to also do what is required of us. May we always be like those vigilant servants who faithfully await their master’s return!
“Lord, thank you for entrusting me with the gift of faith.” (Meditation on Luke 12:32-48, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the leap into the unknown aspect of faith exhibited by Abraham. Faith requires trust even when trust seems impossible. Friar Jude reminds us that vigilance requires that we aim to make every moment precious and open to conversion.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, affirms that true “knowing” occurs within our bodies, not just our minds. The psychologist D. W. Winnicott (1896–1971) once said “There is no such thing as a baby.” [1] There’s only an infant/caregiver. In his book Coming to Our Senses, historian Morris Berman makes the point that our first experience of being alive is not through the visual or auditory experience of knowing ourselves through other people’s responses; it is primarily felt in the body. He calls this kinesthetic knowing. We know ourselves in the security of those who hold us, skin to skin. This early encounter is not so much heard, seen, or thought. It’s felt. That’s the original knowing. [2]
When primal knowing is wounded or missing, an immense doubt is often created about our own and God’s foundational goodness. Many people live with this doubt, and religious experience only comes to them with great difficulty. Most people don’t know how to surrender to God. How can we surrender unless we believe there is Someone trustworthy out there to surrender to?
Hopefully, our caregivers’ early gaze told us we were foundationally beloved. But when we inevitably begin to see ourselves through eyes that compare, judge, and dismiss, then we need spirituality to help heal the brokenness of our identity and our world. The gift of true religion is that it parts the veil and tells us that our primal experience was trustworthy. It tells us that we are beloved, whether we received that mirroring gaze or not. It reassures us that we live in a benevolent universe, and it is on our side. The universe, it assures us, is radical grace. (Rohr, n.d.)
We express gratitude for the experiences of relationship with Christ that have renewed our faith to accept our role in the journey to fullness of life.
References
Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/080722.html
Hebrews, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?32
Meditation on Luke 12:32-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/08/07/463637/
Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Knowing with Our Whole Being. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/knowing-with-our-whole-being-2022-08-07/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net
Wisdom, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/18?6
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