Faith is the assurance of things hoped for

Wis. 18:6-9, Ps 32:1.12.18-22, Heb. 11:1-2.8-19, Lk. 12:35-40. On this Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the Church reminds us of our rightful place before God and encourages us to appreciate and take full advantage of this position. Today's first reading points out the quality of the covenant our citizenship as the people of God. This covenant is Divine and firm. Therefore, we are admonished to be joyful and courageous because our citizenship is based on a solid foundation. We can only build this solid foundation with faith. Since we become adopted children of God through faith, today's second reading presents Abraham to us as a model of our faith. Thus, we share the same heritage with Christ. Faith is the proof of our heritage to the same Father. God revealed Himself fully in Christ.

Hence, it is through our faith in Christ that we can be called the people of God. Jesus assures us in today's Gospel that as the people of God we have a share in His heritage. This heritage is His Kingdom. Christ alleges our fears by encouraging us not to be afraid. As the people of God, Christ warns us to be watchful. This is a necessary condition to obtain this Kingdom which is our heritage. Therefore, we must live a life that bears good testimony to our Father. This life is a life of vigilance. Vigilance here simply means being conscious of who we are, cherishing and safeguarding our heritage. It means living in a consistent moral and obedient way such that, we are always ready to give an account to God of how we have lived.

May the Lord grant us the grace to persevere to the end as we await the Messiah! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!