By Father Paul Nord, Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9; Response: Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-22; Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Gospel: Luke 12:32-48
The Book of Wisdom, chapters 10–19, recounts notable events of biblical history from Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, etc. Today’s reading (Wisdom 18:6-9) recounts “the night of the Passover” described in Exodus 12:21-42. The previous verse (Wis 18:5) depicts the drowning of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod 14:27-28) as an act of divine justice for the death of the Hebrew boys ordered by Pharaoh in Exodus 1:22: “Throw into the Nile every boy that is born.”
“The night of the Passover was known beforehand to our fathers, that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith, they might have courage” (Wisdom 18:6). This seems to refer back in Israelite history to God’s words to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16: “Know for certain that your descendants will reside as aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation they must serve, and after this they will go out with great wealth. You, however… will be buried at a ripe old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will return here.”
Wisdom 18:8 recalls that God “punished our adversaries.” This is cause for trust that God will continue to protect his people. “In this you glorified us.” This asserts that God’s mighty deeds glorify his people, the Israelites. Next it says: “For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice.” This apparently refers to the Lord God’s instructions on preparing and eating the Passover lamb: “It must be eaten in one house; you may not take any of its meat outside the house” (Exod 12:46). This means the Passover meal was eaten in secret. God instructed the Israelites to act in this way – it was a “divine institution” made through Moses and Aaron.
Next is the Letter to the Hebrews, which reflects on “faith” as our response to God’s offer of salvation and communion with Him. This passage of Hebrews defines faith so beautifully: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” By faith, we already have a foretaste of fullness of new life in Christ. By faith, we have full confidence that God will fulfill for us his promises made in Jesus Christ.
Next it says: “Because of [faith] the ancients were well attested.” This refers to ancestors revered by the Israelites. Verses 3-8 mention Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham. Verses 8-19 focus on Abraham as a key example of faith in God. It is interesting to compare Hebrews 11:8-19 to Romans 4, where St. Paul likewise discusses Abraham as an important example of faith in God.
Four verses in Hebrews 11 are introduced by the phrase “By faith …” These are verses 8, 9, 11 and 17. Each of these four verses describes a key moment in which Abraham cooperated with God’s plan for Abraham and his descendants. First, Hebrews 11:8 points to Abraham’s faith as the cause of his obedience when God commanded him “to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.” Second, Hebrews 11:9 describes how “by faith” Abraham “sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country” – as God had commanded him to do. Third, Hebrews 11:11 says, “By faith Abraham received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age – and Sarah herself was sterile.” This shows God fulfilling his promise to give Abraham many descendants. It also illustrates Abraham’s faith-filled cooperation with God’s will. Fourth, Hebrews 11:17 says: “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac” for sacrifice. But God had promised Abraham: “through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” Again, Abraham fully obeyed God’s command. “By faith” Abraham “reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19).
In Luke 12:13-34, Jesus tells his disciples not to focus on earthly possessions. Jesus tells a parable about the rich fool who focused on storing earthly riches (Luke 12:13-21). Then in Luke 12:22-31, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about food or clothing. Instead, they should trust that God will provide for them – as He provides for the birds and plants. Jesus tells them: “your Father knows that you need [these things]. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides” (Luke 12:30-31). Jesus insists that his disciples should focus on seeking the kingdom of God, and to trust in God’s providence for life’s necessities.
Today’s Gospel begins with Luke 12:32. Jesus tells his disciples, “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock.” Surely trusting God completely for life’s necessities is a life without fear. Only God’s kingdom is important. Jesus commands us: “Sell your belongings and give alms” (Luke 12:33). This means relying on God to provide for us instead of relying on our possessions. Jesus exhorts his disciples to seek “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven” – instead of earthly treasure, which is vulnerable to thieves and moths (12:33).
In Luke 12:36, Jesus exhorts us to “be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding.” That is, we should be prepared for Jesus’ return – when he will bring God’s kingdom in its fullness. Jesus uses imagery to emphasize vigilance. “Gird your loins and light your lamps.” This indicates readiness for action. Jesus commands us to be “ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” We don’t know when our master will return, so we must be continuously vigilant – even during “the second or third watch.” This refers to the middle of the night. In antiquity, the nighttime was divided evenly into four “watches” for guard duties. Jesus compares his second coming to a thief breaking into a house at an unexpected hour.
In Luke 12:41, Peters asks Jesus: “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” Jesus doesn’t answer directly. Instead, he asks: “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward?” Such a steward is deserving of the master’s trust. Jesus challenges Peter and his disciples to be trustworthy, vigilant servants.