Read the Gospel Reflection for Sunday 11th August 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Heart of the matter…
When on holidays with my mother at home, we watch those television programmes about antiques; you know the ones. People bring all manner of objects from their homes and they present them to the experts for a considered opinion. They do so in the hope that their family heirloom is worth some money, if not a long lost priceless work of art.
Sometimes the pieces in question are not actually priceless, valuable or worth a lot money. Bu to the owner, who may have had it in their home since childhood, it is a rare treasure, beautiful and precious. As the wonderfully witty Oscar Wilde once said, ‘a cynic is person who know the price of everything, but the value of nothing.’ In our gospel, this is what Jesus is drawing to our attention when he says, ‘…for where you treasure is, there will your heart will be also.’ What does this mean for us today?
During our ordinary lives we put so much energy into things that are important to us; our health, family, work and earning a living so that we can lead good and decent lives. These are all very important and noble to things to care about. But as with anything, we can perhaps put too much importance and store into things that are not so important and necessary for us to worry about. Social media and advertisements put so much pressure on us to spend more money on things and products we probably don’t really need, but simply want. The gospel asks us to think about what is really important to us. What do I truly and deeply treasure in my life? Where is my heart?
The second part of the gospel this Sunday speaks to us about being dressed for action. It also asks us to be waiting and ready for the master to return. We all have to go about our ordinary daily lives. But we are also reminded to think about the place of God in our lives at the same time. It is vital that we look after ourselves, our families, our health and our general well-being. However, if we put all our energy into just looking after ourselves at a purely physical level, there may be something missing from our lives. Again, what do I treasure and where is my heart?
There is always the temptation that we will seek a life-style and not a quality of life. In faith and hope, we believe that Jesus will return at a time appointed by God. We do not know when this will happen. When the Lord does return, will I be ready to welcome him? Will I be dressed for action, watching, waiting for him?
Perhaps this week, I might take a few minutes each day and simply ask where in my daily life is God? Am I ready and dressed for action should the Lord return?
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
– Br Michael Moore OMI
Gospel: Luke 12:32-48 ©
Fear not, little flock. But be vigilant, faithful
or, shorter version: 12:35-40
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you,he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
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