Be not afraid; Have faith and be prepared ~ by Ronnie Archer

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 18:6-9
Hebrews 11:1-2,
8-12
Luke 12:32-48

The theme of our readings for this Sunday is having faith, being fearless and being prepared... because we know not the day, nor the hour that our Lord will come to us to either change our current lifestyle and move on or when He will call us from this earth to Himself.

The Wisdom reading speaks of how the people of Israel, who were living under the Egyptian rule, had faith and courage to endure that night of the Passover.

The reading from Hebrews tells us that "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen." (vs.1)

Abraham was told to go to a foreign place where they were to receive an inheritance, and even though they both were so old and Sarah was sterile, they received the promise of many descendants. They knew that the ONE who had made that promise was trustworthy.

Today's Gospel also reminds us of how faith and vigilance result in blessings.

Jesus said to the disciples: "do not be afraid, your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms." (vs. 32-33)

Abraham and Sarah had enough faith and trust in God to abandon their own plans and submit to His will to go to a place unknown to them, and they were rewarded.

Sometimes we are afraid to leave the comfort of our own lives to go where God means for us to be, or to do what He's calling us to do. We should be vigilant and prepared to go at any time.

Preparations take effort and energy, but preparation is necessary because we don't know when our time on this earth will end.

We can ask God to help us to be open to His Grace and His Will for us and ask His help to overcome fear.

"God did not give us a spirit of fear... but power and a sound mind," (2 Tim.1:7), therefore, we should not fear.