Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He wants us to be true to him and to his words; strange teachings of all kinds must not carry us away.
Last Sunday, we heard the teaching, “Take care to guard against all greed.” But have we Christians been true to it? Do we not fight still over inheritance? Does not the old problem of greed surface time and again among us Christians too?
And today we hear the words that those who make up Jesus’ little flock must sell with no fear what they own. For they are to give alms and thus store treasure that is safe and lasts forever.
In other words, disciples who are true to Jesus prove that greed does not take hold of them. For they let go of their goods to help others. They do not fear to give up thus what they have; they rely wholly on God who gives them the kingdom.
Are we of the group of true disciples? Or do we water down Jesus’ words rather than be true to them? Do we not look for and bring forth a thousand reasons to explain away what he asks us to do?
Is it the world that now shapes us, our minds, our hearts, our values, and not God’s will? And if this is so, a reason for it may be that we hardly think of the Lord’s return.
So then, yes, we no longer wish for a better homeland, a heavenly one. And we put our faith less in God’s sworn promises and more in the world’s promises of wealth and ease. In place, besides, of girding our loins and lighting our lamps, we turn off the lights and go to sleep. And passive, lethargic and our ears itching, we fall prey to false teachings that just suit our likings; rather than stay true to the truth, we wander into myths.
Lord Jesus, make us come to you and give us the strength to be true to you always. For you alone nourish us with your flesh and blood so that we may have eternal life; you alone have the words of eternal life. And grant that we do not tire asking what you would do if you were in our place (SV.EN XI:314).
10 August 2025
19th Sunday in O.T. (C)
Wis 18, 6-9; Heb 11, 1-2. 8-19; Lk 12, 32-48
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