Daily Readings - Sun Aug 11 2019
Hebrews
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2For by it the people of old received their commendation.8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.9By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.10For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.11By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Luke
35"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!39But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and readiness. In the first reading from Wisdom, we hear of a night known to our fathers, a time of trust in God's justice and plan. The just children, through their sacrifices and adherence to justice, demonstrate their faith in God's design. This passage reminds us that God's justice will prevail, and both the righteous and the unrighteous will receive their due. It calls us to trust in God's plan, even when the future seems uncertain.
The second reading from Hebrews delves into the essence of faith, defining it as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of the unseen. Through the examples of Abraham and Sarah, we see unwavering trust in God's promises, even in the face of impossibility. Their story teaches us that true faith is about trusting God's plan, even when we cannot see the outcome. This faith is not passive but active, leading us to live in accordance with God's will.
The Gospel from Luke brings these themes together, urging us to be prepared and vigilant. Jesus uses the parable of the servants waiting for their lord to emphasize the importance of readiness. He reminds us that the Son of Man will return unexpectedly, and we must be prepared to meet Him. This passage is a call to live each day with our hearts and minds focused on God, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect our commitment to Him.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's justice and providence. Just as the just children and the patriarchs trusted in God's plan, we too must place our faith in Him. We are called to live with vigilance, always mindful of our ultimate goal of union with God. This means living each day with purpose, prayer, and service, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the call to trust and readiness. May our faith be strengthened, and may we live each day with the conviction that God's plan is at work in our lives. Let us remain vigilant, prepared to meet the Lord whenever He comes, and may our lives be a testament to our trust in His divine providence.