Gospel: August 10, 2025
August 10, 2025 (Sunday)
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)
Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 18:6-9
That night had been foretold to our ancestors, and knowing in what promise they trusted, they could rejoice in all surety. Your people waited for both the salvation of the just and the downfall of their enemies, for the very punishment of our enemies brought glory to the people you have called that is, to us. The holy race secretly offered the Passover sacrifice and really agreed on this worthy pact: that they would share alike both blessings and dangers. And forth with they began to sing the hymns of their fathers.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 (or 11: 1-2, 8-12)
Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see. Because of their faith, our ancestors were approved. It was by faith, that Abraham, called by God, set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance; for he parted without knowing where he was going. By faith, he lived as a stranger in that promised land. There, he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, beneficiaries of the same promise. Indeed, he looked forward to that city of solid foundation, of which God is the architect and builder. By faith, Sarah, herself, received power to become a mother, in spite of her advanced age; since she believed that, he, who had made the promise, would be faithful. Therefore, from an almost impotent man, were born descendants, as numerous as the stars of heaven, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. Death found all these people strong in their faith. They had not received what was promised, but they had looked ahead, and had rejoiced in it, from afar, saying that they were foreigners and travelers on earth. Those who speak in this way prove, that they are looking for their own country. For, if they had longed for the land they had left, it would have been easy for them to return, but no, they aspired to a better city, that is, a supernatural one; so God, who prepared the city for them, is not ashamed of being called their God. By faith, Abraham went to offer Isaac, when God tested him. And so, he, who had received the promise of God, offered his only son, although God had told him: Isaac’s descendants will bear your name. Abraham reasoned, that God is capable even of raising the dead, and he received back his son, which has a figurative meaning.
Gospel: Luke 12:32-48
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, and an inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding. As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him. Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them. Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak! Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward, whom the master sets over his other servants, to give them wheat at the proper time. Fortunate is this servant if his master, on coming home, finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.
But it may be that the steward thinks, ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the male servants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk. Then the master will come on a day he does not expect, and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off, and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful. The servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare and do what his master wanted, will be soundly beaten; but the one who does unconsciously what deserves punishment, shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one who has been entrusted with more.
Lectio Divina:
“Be ready, dressed for service.”
Read: The Book of Wisdom recounts the confidence of the People of Israel in God’s promise, and they offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. The Letter to the Hebrews describes the nature of faith as “the assurance of what we hope for”, and it is this faith which will grant us God’s favor, as it did our ancestors. Jesus teaches that the disciples are to hold on to their faith, even if the end is not so soon. They are to remain faithful servants of the Lord.
Reflect: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis continue to have a great popularity among young and old, with some of the books being made into films. However, the final book of the series is perhaps less widely read. Aslan the great lion has not been seen for many generations, and some start to lose faith in him, even doubting that he ever existed. The lion symbolizes Christ, as Lord and Saviour. In today’s Gospel Jesus also prepares his disciples for a time when he will not be physically with them, so that their faith might remain strong until he comes. The Gospel teaches us that Jesus wants us to stay “dressed for service” and faithful to God’s will, rather than falling away and losing our practice of the virtues.
Pray: Meditate on having your lamp lit, ready to serve Christ in others and to welcome him at the last.
Act: Talk to older members of your family about their faith and what it means to them.
