That night was made known beforehand to our ancestors, so that they might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted. The deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of their enemies were expected by your people. For by the same means by which you punished our enemies, you called us to yourself and glorified us. For in secret the holy children of good people offered sacrifices, and with one accord agreed to the divine law, so that the saints would share alike the same things, both blessings and dangers; and already they were singing the praises of the ancestors.
Second reading Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Second reading Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-and Sarah herself was barren ?” because he considered him faithful who had promised.
Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead-and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead-and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
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.”
“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.”
Reflection
By Jessa Janelle Padilla
How deep is our faith with God and what are is our definition of faith? Saint Augustine defines it as, “To believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe".
In our Gospel for today, when Jesus asks us to sell our belongings and give alms, are we willing to obey him? Nowadays, it is not easy to let go of the materials things that we have. Why would we give up things that make our lives comfortable? Simply because we are indeed called to fulfill our mission, the reason of our existence. Yes, it is not easy but our faith in Him will guide us. Pope Francis believes that ‘Because always, even in the darkest moments, in moments of sin, in moments of weakness, in moments of failure, I have seen Jesus and I trusted Him. He has not left me alone.’ He will never leave us while we fulfill what He commands. Comfortable life is promised for our afterlife upon fulfilling our mission.
During the 7th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization, I was so touched and amazed on how the Villafania family shared their story and how deep their faith to God is. Mr. and Mrs. Vilafania’s two children were called by God early and still their trust in God is there. They believed that their children already fulfilled their mission and God has a purpose and reason why He called them early. They trusted on God’s decision. Just like Abraham, in our Second Reading, who offered up his only son, Isaac, to God when put to the test. Abraham has faith in God and that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. Parents are willing to give up their children once God called them because of deep faith.
Our Gospel for today encourages us to be prepared and keep on waiting for the coming of God. No one can tell when, where, and how would it be but on our part, let us always prepare ourselves. Let us live our lives day-by-day by serving our purpose and treat it as our last day. The day of judgement will come anytime. Punishment is the reward for those who do not prepared while salvation will be granted to those who are prepared.
How deep is our faith with God and what are is our definition of faith? Saint Augustine defines it as, “To believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe".
In our Gospel for today, when Jesus asks us to sell our belongings and give alms, are we willing to obey him? Nowadays, it is not easy to let go of the materials things that we have. Why would we give up things that make our lives comfortable? Simply because we are indeed called to fulfill our mission, the reason of our existence. Yes, it is not easy but our faith in Him will guide us. Pope Francis believes that ‘Because always, even in the darkest moments, in moments of sin, in moments of weakness, in moments of failure, I have seen Jesus and I trusted Him. He has not left me alone.’ He will never leave us while we fulfill what He commands. Comfortable life is promised for our afterlife upon fulfilling our mission.
During the 7th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization, I was so touched and amazed on how the Villafania family shared their story and how deep their faith to God is. Mr. and Mrs. Vilafania’s two children were called by God early and still their trust in God is there. They believed that their children already fulfilled their mission and God has a purpose and reason why He called them early. They trusted on God’s decision. Just like Abraham, in our Second Reading, who offered up his only son, Isaac, to God when put to the test. Abraham has faith in God and that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. Parents are willing to give up their children once God called them because of deep faith.
Our Gospel for today encourages us to be prepared and keep on waiting for the coming of God. No one can tell when, where, and how would it be but on our part, let us always prepare ourselves. Let us live our lives day-by-day by serving our purpose and treat it as our last day. The day of judgement will come anytime. Punishment is the reward for those who do not prepared while salvation will be granted to those who are prepared.
Prayer
Lord, enlighten our hearts, strengthen and deepen our faith in You. May our fears be vanished
and our trust in You will keep us in fulfilling the mission you have entrusted to us. May we prepare ourselves for Your coming and be ready to be judged. This we
ask in Jesus name. Amen.
