Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 7th August 2022
Lectionary Readings:
Genesis 15 v1-6; Psalm 33 v12-22; Hebrews 11 v1-3, 8-16; Luke 12 v32-40
Treasure
Jesus said, “My little group of disciples, don’t be afraid! Your father wants to give you the kingdom.
Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves money bags that never wear out. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it. Your heart will always be where you treasure is.” (Luke 12 v32,33).
The Collins dictionary of the Bible offers this definition of treasure:
Jesus taught the importance of distinguishing between treasure as spiritual riches and the accumulation of material wealth, since only the former was of lasting worth. The true indication of which of these an individual valued most lay in the heart.
Jesus was once asked by a Pharisee (and an expert in the Law of Moses), “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments. (Matthew 22 v36-40).
In today’s gospel reading Luke appears to be suggesting that our hearts should be full of love. Our foremost priority is to love. Love comes from the heart. Love flows from God’s heart into our hearts, (and if we are to be his faithful servants), then overflowing towards others.
Jesus says, “Your heart will always be where your treasure is.” Luke links this to Jesus telling hisdisciples that “Your father wants to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give the money to the poor.” Luke is suggesting that God’s compassion for the poor is made evident by the work of his children (those who are faithful to him and obey his commandments to love). I don’t think that Luke is urging us to become destitute ourselves, but to thank God for any material wealth we may have and to be ready and willing to share what we have with the poor. By doing this, we will be playing our part in making God’s kingdom a reality here on earth, as it is in heaven.
Hymn writers John Bell and Graham Maule reflect on our growth in Grace and Holiness:
(Singing the Faith 513).
Take this moment, sign and space; take my friends around;
here among us make the place where your love is found.
Take the time to call my name, take the time to mend
who I am and what I’ve been, all I’ve failed to tend.
Take the tiredness of my days, take my past regret,
letting your forgiveness touch all I can’t forget.
Take the little child in me, scared of growing old;
help me here to find my worth made in Christ’s own mould.
Take my talents, take my skills, take what’s yet to be;
let my life by yours, and yet, let it still be me.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.