19th Sunday - C (August 7, 2022)

 

The Gift of God’s Kingdom

Luke 12: 32-48

 

Two Sundays ago, Jesus taught to pray, “Father, your kingdom come.” 

 

Today, Jesus assures us, “Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.”

 

What can be greater than this gift of God’s love for us?

 

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19th Sunday - B (August 8, 2021)

 

John 6: 41-51

 

How often do I begin a sentence with “I”?

 

Even in our relationship with God, we’d say, “I pray, I go to church, etc.”

 

Jesus reminds us that it is God who draws us to God to share with us God’s life, eternal life.

 

19th Sunday - C (August 11, 2019)

The Father’s Gift

Luke 12: 32 – 48

Two Sundays ago, Jesus taught us to pray for to the Father that “Your kingdom come” and “give us each day our daily bread.”

Last week, Jesus told us the parable of a person who is self-centered, ungrateful to God, and has no concerns for others.  He only cares about his earthly possessions and the pleasure of this passing life. 

Today, Jesus tells us that the Father “is pleased to give you the kingdom.”

We need to live this earthly life knowing that we are already living in God’s kingdom, even though its fullness has not yet been a reality.

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19th Sunday - B (August 12, 2018)

“My Flesh for the Life of the World”
John 6:41-51

In this short passage, 10 verses in total, Jesus repeats five times the universality of God’s salvation. Though they are different, the words “whoever,” “anyone,” and “everyone” convey the same meaning. 

God’s salvation is given to all humanity in the coming, death, and resurrection of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. 

This salvation continues to be given to us today in the Eucharist – “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” 

19th Sunday - A (August 13, 2017)

Matthew 14: 22-33

Reflections

“I Am”

Prior to this passage, the disciples could not feed the crowd of over five thousand people.  Jesus could.

Now, the disciples are in the boat by themselves, “being tossed about by the waves.”  Jesus came, and “the wind died down.”

Jesus here identifies himself, “It is I.”  What Jesus says in the Greek text can be translated into English as “I am.”  It is the same expression God used at the burning bush when Moses asked for God’s name in Exodus 3:14.

In the Incarnation, Jesus, who is divine, is always with us. 

I should not cry out for Him only when things are tough, when I am in need, or when I am “being tossed about by the waves” of life.  

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19th Sunday - B

Commentary

John 6: 41-51

The One Who Is from God.

The people think they know who Jesus is, “the son of Joseph.” They also know “his father and mother.” What they think they know becomes their obstacle, “How can he say, 'I have come doenw from heaven'?”

They want to box Jesus in, according to their mindsets.

They are not ready to be taught by God.

This Gospel passage seems to challenge us to allow Jesus to teach us about God. That knowledge must be accepted on God's terms, not ours.

Jesus alone knows God because he “is from God, [and] he has seen the Father.”

If we believe in Jesus' words, then we will know God, and receive eternal life.

19th Sunday - B (August 9, 2015)

Readings

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19th Sunday - A

Commentary

Matthew 14: 22-33

It’s Painful, but ….

Hardships, challenges, and even sufferings are all parts of our human reality.

We know that.  We all have experienced hardships, challenges, and sufferings. 

But it is not easy to know or to explain why.

The disciples in today’s Gospel actually run into the storm as a result of doing what Jesus “makes” them do.  Other translations even suggest stronger verbs such as “to force” [1] or “to compel” [2].

In the case of Peter walking on water, becomes frightened and about to sink, though Peter asks for it, it is Jesus who allows Peter to get into that situation. 

Both events are the opportunities for the disciples to recognize the power of Jesus and to acknowledge, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

How do I take the difficulties and sufferings that God allows to happen in my life?

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[1]  Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., The Gospel of Matthew.  Sacra Pagina Series.  Collegeville, MN., Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 223.

[2] Carla Works, “Commentary on Matthew 14: 22-33,” http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2144

19th Sunday - A (August 10, 2014)

Readings

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19th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 12: 32-48

“ Your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom”

Jesus here urges his “little flock” “Do not be afraid.” 

These are not some sentimental words. 

The deep and significant meaning of these words can better be understood only when taken in context.  Jesus and his disciples are on their journey to Jerusalem, where Jesus would suffer and die.  It is a journey that in 9:51 Jesus “resolutely determined” to begin.  Luke also reminds us often that the disciples do not seem to fully understand either Jesus’ mission or his attitude. 

Knowing his disciples, throughout the journey, Jesus takes time and uses different opportunities to instruct them. 

Earlier in the same Chapter 12, Jesus encouraged the disciples to trust in God in times of persecution.  He said to them, “Even the hairs on your head have all been counted.”  Then, he said to them the same words “Do not be afraid.”  (12:4)

Next came the parable of the rich fool which Jesus taught in response to the man who wanted Jesus to solve his family’s disputes over their inheritance.  (12: 13-21)

Jesus then took the occasion to teach his disciples not to worry about their lives, what to eat, or what to wear.  He pointed out to them that God takes care of even the birds of the sky and the flowers of the field.

“Do not worry anymore,” said Jesus.  And he continues, “You Father knows that you need [those things].” (12: 22-31)

And more than food, clothes, or even life; God, “your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.” (12:32)

There, the reason for us not to be afraid.  

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Note:  Today's Gospel gives us an opportune moment to reflect on that gift of membership in God's Kingdom, as pointed out by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his letter Porta Fidei on the Year of Faith.

"The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church…. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn 17:22)." (Paragraph #1)

19th Sunday - C (August 11, 2013)

Readings