19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug.

8, 2010
(Wisdom 18: 6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Lk. 12:32-48)

The readings for Sunday are a congregation’s nightmare. There are so many
possible themes that preachers have a hard time picking one or two on which to
focus. Once they choose, invariably someone has questions about what was not
chosen. Here are possible themes readers might encounter Sunday.

Wisdom reflects the theology of very late pre-Christian times, some suggesting as
late a 50 BC. The Passover theme of trusting in God as an encouragement to do
what God leads them to is an interesting theme. Just as interesting is the link the
author makes between “salvation of the just and destruction of their foes.” The
author continues, “…for when you punished our adversaries, in this you glorified us
whom you had summoned.” Obviously Christians are bound by the teaching of
Jesus who hardly equated the salvation of the just with the destruction of their foes.
Christians part company with the Old Testament on this point (or should).

Another theme worthy of intense reflection is the Letter to the Hebrews’ point that
“faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” The
author points to Abraham who acted on the promise of God who promised to give
him not only offspring but a land as an ancestral heritage in Genesis 12. Even
though Abraham lived in the land he did not possess it.

Hebrews develops the theme of Abraham acting on what he believed would be

accomplished as a realization of what he hoped for, through the history of his
descendants. It then links the entire history of these descendants by faith in what
was not yet accomplished as a preparation and anticipation of what God ultimately
did accomplish in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Hebrews understands Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as an

anticipation of God’s act of raising Jesus. This Christian interpretive reading of the
life of the famous patriarch, Abraham, is used to show how Abraham was the model
of Christian discipleship, much like Paul had done in Romans. My guess is
preachers will steer clear of this because it is such a complicated theme, precisely
because it is so rich in material.
So on to the gospel reading! Here we have a few exhortations followed by a number
of parables. “Do not be afraid” is one of the more frequently cited exhortations of
Jesus, in anticipation of the coming Kingdom. There is no room for holding on to
personal items of wealth and status for those who are focused on the kingdom.
Thus, the instruction; “Sell your belongings and give alms.”

The theme now shifts to readiness for the master’s return. Quite unexpectedly,
vigilant servants doing their jobs will be rewarded when the master returns, when
the master himself waits on them! The charge to be vigilant is followed by Peter’s
question about the intended recipient: “Is it meant for us or for everyone?” As so
often, Jesus does not answer directly, but goes off into another parable directed at
leaders of Christian communities who have been put in charge of other servants.
Contained therein is a stern warning for those who would fall asleep on the job.
Although this will often lead to tirades on the need for the Christian faithful to keep
vigilant watch over their own behavior, it is specifically addressed to those who
hold leadership positions. Theirs will be the harsher judgment if they abuse their
fellow servants. Words worth pondering today when we realize how many ways
servants can be abused.

On the other hand, they might preach on what they did on their summer vacations.
Go figure! Like I said it’s a congregation’s nightmare.

Fr. Lawrence L. Hummer