22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 17-20.28-29: Behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord.

II Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19.22-24: You have to come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God.

Gospel: Luke 14:1.7-14: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbled will be exalted.

The Importance of Humility, Lk 14:7-14

Our community prayer or Sunday gathering or any celebration should be a gathering and celebration of joy and not of fear (Exodus 20:19-The Israelites pleaded Moses when God was speaking at the thunder, lightning, trumpet blasting and the mount smoking) “Speak to us yourself and we shall listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.”

Our Sunday service is a banquet which Jesus Christ, personally prepares for us with love for the Christian community, and Luke wanted his Christians to realise the following:

We are the poor whom Jesus invites. We are poor both materially and spiritually.

We are the lame and the cripple, incapable of walking along the way to heaven; Jesus comes on Sunday gathering to give us a helping hand to reach there.

We are the blind people, whose spiritual eyesight Jesus restored at Baptism and he helps us to see God and makes us understand the plan of God.

Who will accept such a great invitation from Jesus Christ?

Only the truly humble accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to the banquet of God’s kingdom. The Sunday service should help us to grow in humility, by helping us realise our own weakness, sinfulness and total unworthiness of being admitted into God’s kingdom. The proud person thinks only of what he/she thinks him/herself to be. In a way he/she becomes his/her own idol and worships him/herself. The proud person does not serve God and he forgets his neighbour; no one really counts, except himself (Si 3:28). There is no person as wise, as powerful and as holy as Jesus (you alone are the Lord in Gloria we sing, Rev. 19:16-“The king of kings and the Lord of lords.” Yet Jesus Christ is so humble even unto death (Phil 2:6-8). Jesus spent his life at the service of his Father and of humankind.

We must attend Sunday service with humility. Jesus taught his disciples at the Last Supper; “I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you” (Jn 13:15) vs. 1Cor 11:17-18.

Finally, our Sunday service must lead us to put ourselves at the service of our brothers and sisters in the community especially the poor in society.

Jesus taught the importance of humility in this passage.

1. Jesus attended a banquet (v.7)

a. He noticed some choosing the best seats

b. He shared a parable

2. The parable: The ambitious guest (v.8-10)

a. The first man: Seeks the place of honour

  1) Is displaced

  2) Finds all other seats already taken

  3) Has to take the lowest seat

  4) Is embarrassed

b. The second man: Takes the lowest place of honour

  1) Is acknowledged

  2) Is rewarded with a higher position

  3) Is honoured by all

3. The parable’s point (v.11)

a. Self-exaltation humbles

b. Humility exalts

4. The demonstration of humility (v.12-14)

a. Humility is not serving those who can repay

b. Humility is serving those who are needy and cannot repay

c. Humility shall be rewarded

Thought: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10). Humility is a problem for most people. Why? Because the world looks upon humility as a sign of weakness and cowardice.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

 21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21: They will bring all your brothers from all the nations.

II Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13: The Lord trains the one that he loves.

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30: Men from east and west will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Salvation cannot be taken for granted. It is given by God to those who respond in faith.

The Saved Discussed

Who are the saved? Will many be saved? Shall I be saved or shall I be lost? Jesus answers these questions in this passage. Faith teaches us that this earthly life will come to an end and that death will introduce us to a new life that lasts forever with God. God wants everyone saved. In the gospel; the man did not look for or seek personal salvation but he asked and discussed with Jesus the salvation of a few people or many. The Jews were thinking by birth as Jew and after circumcision, they are going to be saved but Jesus said to enter through the narrow gate or door which means by self-denial and faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the Saviour of the world. If we wish to enter heaven we must leave all evil actions and pride; instead, we need total obedience to God’s will and humility. Self-denial is very important to enter the narrow gate. Jesus said if you would follow me; take up your cross and follow me. If anyone saves his life will lose it and anyone who loses his life for my sake will save it (Lk 11:9-10; 9:23-24).

The narrow gate or door is specific, very specific, the only way and a straight and not crooked way to enter to be saved. Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). So we need to seek, search and look for God to be saved not by baptism (by Christians) or circumcision (by Jews) or fellowships (by other churches) but by our committed life, self-denial and faith in Christ. We need every effort to struggle and work hard to enter into the narrow gate (Jesus).

To be “saved” means “to be with God in our present and future life” to see Him, to share His life and joy and peace. To be “lost” means not to be admitted into God’s presence and to be deprived of God’s life, joy and peace forever. When we speak of “heaven” and “hell”, we are not speaking about places but of “states” (ways) of being: “heaven” means “to be with God”, while “hell” means to be deprived of Him. God wants and longs that everyone may be saved in heaven with Him and forever. It is up to us to decide or choose whether to be saved or to be lost. We need to try to enter by the narrow door with humility and obedience to God’s teachings and commands. We cannot enter into heaven with pride, Selfishness, self-righteousness, disobedience to God’s will and teachings, jealousy, envy, hatred and all evil actions.

Jesus answers to challenge us so that we will make sure we are saved.

1. Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem (v.22-23)

a. Taught in the cities and villages

b. Along the way, someone questioned Jesus about salvation

2. The saved make every effort to enter the narrow door (v.24)

3. The saved act soon enough: A man moves too late (v.25)

4. The saved are not the citizens of so-called Christian nations nor members of certain fellowships (v.26)

5. The saved shall be separated from the lost, and the lost shall see them enter God’s kingdom (v.27-28)

6. The saved will come from all nations and classes of society (v.29-30)

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

 

 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6.8-10: You have borne me to be a man of dissension for all the land.

II Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4: We shall keep running in the race we have started.

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53: I am not here to bring peace, but rather division.

The Three Gross Misconceptions of Man, 12:49-59

Today’s gospel reading sounds as a shocking passage for all of us today. The words sound strange on Jesus’ lips; we find it difficult to take them literally. We need to take his words seriously and try to understand the real meaning. Jesus came to bring peace and union among people. That is what we find in the Scriptures “the Messiah as a man of peace”: “Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6). “He will be our peace” (Mt 5:5). The shepherds’ singing: “Peace on earth to men whom God loves” (Mt 2:14). In the Beatitudes “Blessed are the peace-makers; they shall be called God’s children”(Mt 5:9). Jesus wanted his disciples to be like him and to be the messengers of peace “In whatever house you enter, let your first words be: ‘Peace to this house” (10:5). Jesus’ gift to his disciples during his passion, was peace: “Peace I bring to you; my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you”(Jn 14:27). The Risen Jesus Christ’s gift to his disciples “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:20-21). So Jesus is a man of peace, giving peace to the world and bringing salvation to the world those who receive him, believe in him and accept Jesus as the Messiah and the Lord of the universe. The three readings are clear: “faithfulness to God often entails suffering. Jesus himself suffered and announced, “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you too” (Jn 15:20). It does not mean that those who follow Jesus must renounce all peace, joy and happiness.

There are three main reasons for his saying:

Jesus covered three gross misconceptions of man.

1. Misconception 1: The Messiah was to bring peace on earth (v.49-53)

a. Truth 1: He came to bring judgment

b. Truth 2: He came to suffer and die

c. Truth 3: He came to bring division

2. Misconception 2: The Messiah has not yet come (v.54-57)

a. Truth 1: People discern the weather, i.e. earthly events

b. Truth 2: People do not discern the signs of times, the Messianic age

c. Truth 3: People do not discern spiritual matters

3. Misconception 3: Men have no need to make peace with God (v.58-59)

a. Truth 1: People have a bad case before God, the judge

b. Truth 2: The time is urgent-“try hard”

c. Truth 3: The surety of payment, that is judgment

Thought: The believer is to love God first and foremost then his/her family or friends.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

 

 19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9: By the same act with which you took vengeance on our foes, you made us glorious by calling us to you.

II Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2. 8-19: Abraham looked forward to a city founded, designed and built by God.

Gospel: Luke 12:32-48: You too must stand ready.

The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Manager: A Strong Warning-Be Prepared, Lk 12:35-38

Today’s three readings have a common purpose: to enlighten the faith of those to whom they were addressed and to bolster their courage.

1. A group of Jews ashamed of their past.

2. A group of Jews becomes Christians, tempted to go back to Judaism.

3. A group of Christian communities who became discouraged due to the apparent delay in Jesus’ second coming.

4. A surprising and consoling conclusion of the parable.

We must never waver in our faith in Christ, nor get discouraged in living a truly Christian life, whatever the cost.

Jesus was still dealing with wealth, riches, plenty and covetousness. The believer’s mind is to be upon the purity of life and service, not upon possessions and cares of this world. Jesus strongly warned: be prepared.

1. The charge: be watching-be and ready for the Lord’s return (v.35-40)

a. because the Lord is returning

b. because you will be saved by Christ himself

c. because you will be blessed (it will be good for you)

d. because Christ will come suddenly and unexpectedly

e. because Christ will come when least expected

2. The parable of the manager (v.41-48)

a. there is Peter’s question

b. there is a faithful and wise manager

  1) he is a manager

  2) he is a servant

  3) he is found “doing” serving faithfully

  4) he is to be rewarded: made a ruler, put in charge

c. there is an unfaithful and unwise manager

  1) he says there is “plenty of time”

  2) he does his own will, his own thing

  3) he is to be judged with the unbelievers

d. there is the unfaithful manager identified

  1) the first class of unfaithful managers: sinned deliberately-knew the Lord’s will

  2) the second class of unfaithful managers: sinned in ignorance-did not know the Lord’s will

  3) the principle of judgement: having much requires giving much

Thought: A person must open his or her heart immediately when Jesus comes.

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48: When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him.

 

 

 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD- FEAST, 6 AUGUST

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36: As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed.

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Heaven’s Glory, Mk 9:2-13

The purpose of the transfiguration was to reveal heaven’s glory would strengthen Jesus to bear the cross and strengthen the disciples in their belief that Jesus was God’s Messiah (Mk 9:2-13; Mt 17:1-13; Lk 9:28-36). A close study of the transfiguration will strengthen the faith of any believer in his Lord. A Strengthened faith will enable the believer to bear the cross of his own call.

1.    Jesus took three disciples all alone up a high mountain (v.2)

2.    The transfiguration strengthened Jesus (2-4)

a.    His transfiguration: his clothing began to shine

b.   His companions: talked with Jesus

i.                The Great Prophet

ii.              The Great of Lawgiver

3.    The transfiguration strengthened the disciples (5-7)

a.    Helped their shattered faith

b.   Gave them a taste of glory

c.    Struck them with awesome fear

d.   Made them witnesses of God’s approval

4.    The transfiguration gave a unique opportunity to discuss God’s Messiahship (8-13)

a.    Jesus charged the disciples to tell no man about the experience until after his resurrection

b.   The disciples discussed the resurrection: Why must Elijah come first?

c.    Jesus corrected the disciples

i.                Elijah was to come first

ii.              Scriptures also said that Messiah was to die

iii.               Elijah had already come: He was John the Baptist

Thought: The believer must often get alone with Christ in order to have his strength renewed. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God. Belief in Him is absolutely essential (1Jn 5:1).

1. Faith in Christ is a source of strength in our Christian life.

2. Faith in Christ is the light of our life.

3. Faith in Christ brings joy to our life.

We receive strength from God during times of suffering, temptations, persecution and rejection when we pray daily like Jesus prayed on the mountain.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com