19th Sunday 2016

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

The Wisdom passage marks the beginning of the third example of the Providence of God in the Exodus and occurs in the third section of the book itself. “The purpose of this third part is to demonstrate by a series of contrasts how wisdom preserved the people of Israel in the Exodus. The theme is the deliverance of the righteous, specifically those who obey the law and the punishment of their ungodly oppressors (2).”

The Israelites knew of the Passover before its passing so to have courage. They offered sacrifice in secret to “put into effect… the divine institution.” In this case the “divine institution” is the Passover, an annual event sacred to the Israelites. In various biblical passages, the celebration seems as important as the Exodus itself. As Catholics we often read “divine institution” as Eucharist, but many mean marriage or holy orders, as well. While these references vary, they connect to our liturgical sacraments.

The Book of Wisdom is considered apocrypha by the Protestants, which means Catholics consider it part of the canon, while they do not. Martin Luther did not believe it was divinely inspired. However, if we believe we are in a position to judge what is or is not divinely inspired, we have made ourselves equal to if not superior to God Himself. It is dangerous to take on a role of evaluating and passing judgement to determine whether or not something is good, holy or truthful enough to be labelled as ‘from the Lord.’

The passage from Luke, also involves a set of three examples, which reveal details about the Eternal Life in Heaven. Each also refers to household matters, suggesting an intimate Kingdom. The New Interpreters Bible One Volume Commentary states, “Still speaking to the disciples Jesus shifts to new topic; knowing what time it is and ordering life accordingly (2).” This is, however, a paradox. These examples tell us to be vigilant because we don’t know what time it. While we’re aware now is the time the Kingdom is at hand, we never know what may happen in a moment. To perceive the immediacy of the Kingdom we must accept, because His ways are not our’s, we cannot perceive a moment’s potential or promise.

References:

1- The Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament. The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Collegeville, Minnosota,1992.

2- New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010.

Journal Questions:
Recall and reflect on a time in which your life changed unpredictably and radically in a moment.

What does that moment teach you about the Kingdom of the Lord?
What were your perceptions and attitudes then and now as you consider the moment?
What were the internal and external dramas surrounding it?

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