22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Sirach 3:17-18.20.28-29

Psalm 68

Hebrews 12:18-19.22-24

Luke 14:1.7-14

BE HUMBLE!

Speaking about humility in the light of today’s readings may sound strange in our contemporary world for at least two reasons. First, we live in a society that celebrates titles, social prestige and power. Everybody wants to be at the first position and to feel important. Second, whenever we organize a party of any kind or a special diner, we invite “important” personalities, those who can leave behind a “fat envelope” or a gift when returning home. We make meticulous seating arrangement for the distinguished guesses, dignitaries, celebrities, etc. and we cautiously choose those to seat at the “high table”.

However, in the gospel, Jesus reverses this procedure and challenges his audience in two ways. First, he told the Pharisees who were choosing the places of honour at a dining table: when you are invited to a wedding banquet or to a party, take the lowest seats. Second, when you organize a party, invite those who can do absolutely nothing to pay you back or to get you a social or professional promotion: the marginalized, the outcasts, and the untouched of our communities.

Jesus' party etiquettes and protocols characterized by humility may be socially difficult to observe. But that is the demand in the kingdom of God inaugurated by Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, as the second reading teaches. He humbled himself taking the form of a servant so as to gather us all before God and make us co-citizens with the angels and saints in the heavenly Jerusalem. In this City of God, we are all firstborns, therefore equal in the eyes of the Living God.

This invitation to humility is corroborated in the first reading, which exhorts us to be humble and modest in all our conducts. The author warns us against pride and self-glorification. In other words, if we are humble, we will find favour with God; people will love us too. The more we humble ourselves, the greater we become; and the greater we are, the more we should be humble. In fact, all that we have and are is from God. Thus, humble yourself, and God will lift you up. Remain blessed!

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Isaiah 66:18-21

Psalm 117

Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13

Luke 13:22-30

THE NARROW GATE

According to today’s readings, salvation should not be taken for granted. Going to Mass or being a member of a particular church does not guarantee salvation. To be saved or not to be saved depend on our personal relationship with the Lord, how we conform our lifestyles to the message of the Gospel. In effect, the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading and Jesus’ sayings in today’s gospel might have sounded strange in the hearing of their respective Jewish audiences. The Jews had always believed that they were the chosen people of God; that they had the right to enter the kingdom of God. But according to the prophet, God is coming to gather nations of every language so that they may see his glory. He will even choose among them priests and Levites to bring him offerings.

In the Gospel, a question is put to Jesus: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answers this question by inviting the crowd to strive and enter through the narrow gate, for many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. Then, he goes on to give the parable of the banquet in which will partake people from the four corners of the earth; but those who thought of themselves as having the right to the banquet will be cast out.

Accordingly, to be saved does not depend solely on how often we go to church. For it is not enough to have received the sacraments, or to have preached and worked miracles in the name of Jesus. We must put the Word of God into practice. And this requires a daily effort. That is what it means to enter through the narrow gate. The image of a “narrow gate” evokes striving, difficulty and effort. It also makes us think about everything that may prevent us from crossing that gate: pride, selfishness, etc. Finally, the narrow gate is the way of enduring trials as “discipline” from our loving Father in heaven.

Above all, we must remember that salvation is a free gift from God who is Love and Mercy. Each of us must strive to receive this gift and remain faithful to the end. However, we cannot do this without the grace of God. Thus, let us pray to him to grant us such grace to always walk on the way leading to our salvation. Amen

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Jeremiah 38:4-6.8-10

Psalm 39(40)

Hebrews 12:1-4

Luke 12:49-53

FAITHFUL WITNESSES

Witnessing to the truth and advocating for change are not always welcome, so it is with the proclamation of the Good News. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus makes puzzling statements which, at first glance, appear to contradict his mission and the message of the Gospel. He says that he has come to bring fire on earth. He has a baptism to receive. More paradoxical, he says that he has not come to bring peace on earth, but division even within the family. What Jesus means is that he stands as a sign of contradiction. He has come to testify to the truth; and those who accept him and those who refuse him become irremediably antagonistic. For his message calls for radical choices and conversion. And this is not always welcome by all, just as it was in the days of the prophet Jeremiah.

As God’s spokesperson, Jeremiah never ceased to call the people to conversion, inviting them to abandon their evil ways characterized by social injustices, dishonesty and idolatry. His prophetic message attracted the wrath of some and the sympathy of others. His adversaries persecuted him day and night. In today’s first reading, the nobles of Jerusalem manipulated king Zedekiah to have Jeremiah put into a cistern. But one of his sympathizers, the Ethiopian Ebed-Melech saved him.

 

Jesus too endured opposition and hostility from the Jewish leaders to the point of receiving the baptism of suffering and death on the cross. Thus, opting for Jesus and becoming his disciple is to expose oneself to similar treatments. In fact, the history of the Church is full of men and women, children, young and old, who have bore witness to their faith, even to the point of martyrdom. These are part of the “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. Hence, the second reading encourages us to persevere in running the race that lies before us while we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. 

Consequently, we must not be afraid to stand for the truth, justice, and respect of human dignity. We may be laughed at, persecuted or rejected by our own people because of our faith and commitment to Christ. But let us not lose faith nor be discouraged. The Lord is our help and deliverer. He will put the hymn of victory into our mouth if we persevere to the end. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Wisdom 18:6-9

Ps 33

Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19

Luke 12:32-40

ATTESTED BY FAITH

The dominant theme in today’s readings is “faith” and “stewardship.” In effect, the first reading speaks of that unique night in the history of the Israelites, a night in which God manifested his power and salvation: the night of the Passover. It was a night of glory and deliverance from the Egyptian slavery. On that night the Israelites were to begin a journey of no return to the Promised Land by putting their trust in God (Wis. 18:6-9).

The second reading bears witness to the faith of our fathers, especially the faith of Abraham and Sarah. Obeying to God’s command, Abraham left his father’s house not knowing where he was going to. Throughout his life journey with God, he trusted and obeyed God even in risky and nonsensical situations (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19). In the gospel, Jesus tells the crowd not to be afraid, for it has pleased God to give them the kingdom. He exhorts them to sell their belongings and get always ready like good stewards awaiting the coming of their master even in the night (Luke 12:32-40).

Today’s readings invite us therefore to trust God in every situation and to be good stewards. Abraham became the “father of all believers” because of his childlike trust and unconditional obedience to God. On the other hand, the generation that went out of Egypt on that memorable night of the Passover did not enter the Promised Land because of their unfaithfulness and lack of trust in God on the way.

Thus, the journey with God is a journey of faith and hope, faithfulness and vigilance. Sometimes, it is necessary to make a leap of faith, when we do not fully understand, but counting on God’s faithfulness that never fails. Other times, it is necessary to stand by when everybody is running away or to keep watching when everybody is asleep. Still other times, it requires humble service, that is, to gird one’s loins, to bend down and serve others. But in all, we must put our trust in God, because with God, what is impossible to human eyes becomes possible. May his kindness and blessing be upon us as we put our trust and hope in him. Amen