NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
1st Reading: (Wisdom 18:6-9)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 33:1 and 12.18- 19.20 and 22 (R. 12b)
2nd Reading: (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19)
Gospel Reading: (Luke 12:32-40)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 33:1 and 12.18- 19.20 and 22 (R. 12b)
2nd Reading: (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19)
Gospel Reading: (Luke 12:32-40)
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| Augustine Asuquo Udofa |
The full meaning Gospel Acclamation is found in *Matt 24:42-44*
Sometimes ago, there was this prophecy by one Pentecostal Pastor that the world was coming to an end in one particular year ago. As a result of this prophecy (which turned out to be fake) some people started doing one thing or the other. Some sold out their land, others started eating balanced food, some started praying more than before, others one kind of activities or the other. All these were geared towards being on a good footing for the D-Day. Why were these so?
Because they were not ready. They didn't take Jesus "expo" - "be ready for you do not know the date or time" - seriously. Jesus has enjoined me to always be ready for I do not know the exact time of His coming. According to the Scriptures, it may be now or later. As the foolish servant, if I begin to eat, drink and get drunk, that day will catch me unaware. But if I keep on focusing on that day and not be distracted, then "happy for that servant whom the master returns and knock and he opens". Surely the master will invite the servant to join him at table.
In what way can I be seen to be getting ready for the coming of Christ?
Some minor spiritual exercises that can help are:
Reading/Studying the Scriptures. - It's important to find time to read the Bible and try to understand and apply the Scriptures.
Attending Mass & Living a Humble Life. - The Mass being the highest form of prayer is capable of washing all impurities from my soul if I attend with faith and humility participating in all the gestures.
Doing work of Charity. - This is a very important exercise that will keep me getting ready as it will keep reminding me of the words of Jesus "whatever you do to the least of my brothers/sisters, you do it to me".
Does getting ready for the coming of Christ imply that I should starve to death? The answer is No. It simply implies that I should see all wealth of this world as things that must be left behind one day.
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| Nlemadim Stella Njoku |
Jesus in the GOSPEL invites us to be awake and ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour we do not expect. It is one thing to be awake, but another thing to be ready. The GOSPEL calls us to be both awake and ready at all times. This call to alertness, demands that our thoughts, words and actions conform always and at all times to the will and design of God. Our attitude of readiness ought to be marked by girded loins; that is, detached from every evil, as St Augustine interpreted. Burning lamps means clothing ourselves with good deeds; and waiting hearts means that we stay ready to receive the Master at His arrival. As Christians, we do not have the time to loiter about, doing nothing; we have a mission and a goal - a mission to bring about the kingdom of God here on earth and a goal to attain the kingdom of God in heaven. Faith alone cannot bring them about; we must be robed with the garment of righteousness.
REFLECTION
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| TempleMaria George |
Faith is the substance of what we do not see.
The Israelites even while still in Egypt believed the promise of God that they are saved, and as a result, did all they were commanded to do as people who have been saved. The rest became a crescendo of testimonies that we marvel about today.
We the new Israel, How much do we believe and trust God to keep His promises to us?
How much does that trust in God motivate us to obey His instructions ?
The Lord our God created everything by simply saying the Word.
Every Word He spoke is part of His creation; some are physical realities and others spiritual realities.
Faith is the key by which we tap into the spiritual realities.
Do you have a positive faith?
Or do you have an inverted faith ?
Inverted faith is believing or trusting (Doubting God and entertaining fear when the Lord our God has commanded against it) more that what you are praying against will come to you and as a result act accordingly.
Either ways, with faith (positive or inverted), we prove the existence of the spiritual reality.
Trust God you who fear Him.
Put your hopes in Him. He is more than capable. All He promised are already established as spiritual reality.
Trust God and He will show you wonders, and when you have become convicted, you will become His witness to those who will come to believe through your testimony.
We have come to believe through the testimonies of our predecessors, keep your torch burning until you pass it to the next generation.
REFLECTION
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| Joy Cocodia |
The son of man will arrive "at the hour" you do not expect. So, when is this hour? This is a really broad statement/question.
In life, when we anticipate an inquiry, we frequently have an approximated time of visit. We have set times for our appointments. Unlike Christ, we are not given a specific time. We don't know what day, time, or when anything will occur. This is a reminder that we must live correctly at all times; if we know the time, we will undoubtedly do what we want to do, and when the expected moment arrives, we will begin to live properly.
No, as Christians, our lives should be a reflection of Christ, a tool of evangelisation; others should be able to watch our daily lives and be intrigued about "who is this person/power/God this person is serving?" I want to know more. Let us always strive to live a Christ-like life, one that brings hope to others, one that is full of joy and restoration. Let us proclaim the gospel by living well so that when the "HOUR" comes, we will be found worthy rather than wanting.
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| Okolo Samuel Ikechukwu |
"Who then is a faithful and wise Servant? "
Jesus's definition of Faithful and wise is capped in 2 phrase "Right portion" and "right time"
Now as a catholic, Do I give God the right portion of :
My Talents
My Treasures
My Time
Abraham was our case study in the Second reading.... Giving God right portion is summarised as Faith, "for without Faith no one can please God"
Faith causes you to trust God's timing helping you to shift attention from your situation to a timeless God who can transform your situation Now, as he has already done on the cross and forever.... The right time that blossoms faith(which is your right portion in Christ) is summarised in "Christ yesterday, today and forever"
Stop worrying about the past Christ got yesterday, do not be afraid about Now, Today is the day of the Lord, Stop being anxious about tomorrow, Christ is the same forever.
To Him whose gaze of Love and Mercy transforms us from one Glory to Another be praised forever and ever... Amen.
REFLECTION
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| Chinwe Ann Udechukwu |
This Sunday's readings are all rooted in having a trusting faith in God's promises, being ready at all time towards receiving our rewards for doing God's will or receiving punishment for going astray.
My Reflection specifically comes from the Gospel where Jesus invites us to be alert and ready for the Son of man is coming at an hour we do not know.
One thing is to be alert and another is to be ready. In the Gospel, we are called to do both.
Since none of us is sure about the time and circumstances in which our death comes in, therefore we always have to be prepared and be ready at all times. This means that our thoughts, words, and actions will always be conformed to God's will, so that anytime we are being called upon, we will answer the call without being troubled.
There's a kind of death I refer to as untimely, that does not mean the person is too young to die because a child as well as an adult can experience untimely death. I call it untimely because the person is not ready to say 'at least, I have tried my best'. You will see such person struggling to still have another chance to make things right but all might be futile. In other words there is also timely death, this shows that to an extent, the person have rest of mind to meet the Lord and receive his or her rewards. In this kind of death, you see no struggle because where he is going is far better where he was.
Therefore it's better to always be ready and prepared that at anytime God calls on us, we can accept it without struggling, because we know our rewards is waiting for us.
"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right." Steve Jobs
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