HOMILY FOR THE 19TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C
Rev. Fr Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi
Ours is a God who wears an apron. What an image of God that Jesus portrayed in the Gospel! (Luke 12:32-48). This master (God) who wears an apron has his servants whom he serves. He also allows them to govern. Isn’t this then a stunning reversal of roles? The apron-master totally changes the order dictated by worldly wisdom. This master teaches that being a master does not mean greatness, and that greatness is not judged by material possessions, titles and social status; rather greatness consists in knowing how to serve. Only through service can true greatness come. The Governor-servants are placed in charge because they have learnt the act of service so well that they are now able to serve others. Therefore they are called Happy and wise stewards.
Here, we ask a question whose answer would lead to two further questions: why must the master put on an apron, sit them down and wait on them? That this master puts on an apron implies that he does not only serve but makes himself to be seen as a steward. He wants to be known as the official servant. That this master sits his servants down implies that he makes them comfortable; for instance by pulling out the seats for them to sit down and providing them with napkins for the meal. That this master waits on them implies that he not only serves and takes the food to his servants but also stands by the side ready to attend to any one who might need his further service. It becomes clearer then that the master is the perfect steward who has five stars in service. He is the five star apron-master. But why must the master do all these for the servants? The answer is simple: it is because they have been vigilant and awake in preparedness for his return. Those servants are called happy for they have shown themselves worthy of being trusted by their master. And now, why were they awake?
As a child growing up in my family home, it was like a tradition to prepare ourselves for the return of our parents from their daily ventures. That time was never for sleep or for visiting friends. At about 5:00pm (since we calculated that they usually return around 6:00pm), we made the house cleaner, washed up any dirty dish, made the beds, put things in their proper place, and even swept the entire compound, and then would happily and enthusiastically wait for their return. We wanted to give good impressions as good children. But not only that, we were always hopeful for their rewards and gifts. We were sure that meeting the house very neat spurs them all the more to give us gifts from their goodie bags. And they never disappointed. One by one, we would be called to take our own rewards from their hands, and how happy we would be. The happiness they showed and the gifts they gave us were great encouragements; these made us happy and were ready to do more the next day. Weren’t we then happy children? ...hahahaha... Remembering this experience makes me to understand why Jesus called those wise servants happy.
Just like my siblings and I, there are basically three reasons why these servants were awake: 1. They know that their master would certainly come back. This is trust. 2. They know that their master would come back with good tidings and joy for them. This is hope. 3. They know that their master’s visible absence does not entail abandonment, and that on his return, they would be rewarded. This is faith. They do not think, but they know. Faith becomes faith when it knows. Therefore, we are called to be like these happy and wise servants; to have a vigilant faith.
Only Faith (pistis) can, according to the Hebrew writer(s) of the Second Reading (Hebrew 11:1-2; 8-19) guarantee the blessings that we hope for, and prove the existence of the realities that at present remains unseen. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. To perfectly understand this definition, two philosophical terms stand out in the original Greek version: ὑποστασὶς (hypostasis) and ἔλέγχος (elenchos). The consideration of both words in their widest and contextual meanings might help us appreciate this gift of faith in us. Philosophically, hypostasis means the underlying reality or substance of something. This attunes more to its Latin translation substantia (substance). And Elenchos would mean argumentation which also attunes more to the Latin argumentetum. This argumentation is one that is made to prove the reality of something, which in our case would simply mean to prove one’s belief. So, the usage of the word elenchos denotes for the Greeks the proof of a point, and not the argument proper.
Therefore, Faith could now be understood as the reality (substance/subsistence) of things hoped for, and the proof of things not seen. The reality of things hoped for is concerned with this world, and the proof of things not seen is concerned with the heavenly world. Faith then brings the reality of eternity into time to remind us that our souls might be living now in time but have eternity as their goal. Faith also seeks to prove the existence of the invisible God, and to remind us it is in God that we live and have our being (cf. Acts/ 17:28).
Only the faith that makes the Christian hope real could make us ignore the pleasures of the moment. In the Gospel, Jesus advises his disciples to replace the pleasures of the moment for the treasure in heaven. Readiness and preparedness for the master who would return at an unknown time would guarantee the happiness of those servants who the master would found awake. That servant who is way-ward and acts as if everything is dependent on the moment certainly gets punishment when the master unexpectedly returns, but that servant who is ever ready gains reward from his master. To this wise servant, much more power and respect will be given him, for he showed great commitment to his work, but the momentous servant will be given severe beating and stripped of all powers and respect, for he abused the much that was given him.
Only the faith that makes God real and ever-present could make us believe in the certainty of the future. This faith is enhanced when we remember God’s faithfulness to his promises. In the First Reading (Wisdom 18:6-9), the people of Israel looked back at their history and discovered God’s goodness and faithfulness, and this gave them courage and hope for the future. If the Lord was able to deliver the righteous in the past, then he is able to do it in the present, and in the future. Reminding ourselves of this like the Israelites gives us the courage to face life and to deepen our faith in God. What was seen in the past assures the reality of things yet unseen in the future. The things unseen are eternal, but the ones seen are transient (cf. 2 Cor. 4:18). Hence, our faith is like that which Peter explains in his Letter: though we have not seen him, we love him; and though we do not now see him, we believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith and the salvation of our souls (1 Pet. 1:8). Our faith in the certainty of our future makes us work hard to demonstrate it in the present. Thus, the happy servant would have other great virtues and opportunities because of his vigilant faith.
1. Faith produces obedience: Obedience which implies total resignation to the will of God is a great demonstration of faith. Abraham obeyed God. When he was called by God to go to a place he knew nothing about, he simply obeyed. When we obey God and his commandments, it is a sign of faith. For how can a Christian claim to be a person of faith when he/she dances more to secular norms and ideas?
2. Faith breeds courage: Abraham had the courage to sojourn in the land of promise, leaving everything he acquired. He looks forward to that city whose builder and maker is God. His faith in God was adventurous; so also our faith ought to be. When we rely totally on God and trust in his providence as we witness to him, it is a sign of faith. For how can a Christian claim to be a person of faith when he/she is afraid of witnessing or speaking about Jesus to others?
3. Faith generates miracle: By faith, Sarah miraculously conceived at old age. Faith makes the impossible possible. With God, all things are possible. Faith in God attracts favours and blessings. Only faith could guarantee the blessings that we hope for; the reality of things hoped for. The testimony of our healing is a sure sign of faith. For how can a Christian claim to be a person of faith when he/she does not deem it fit to share the divine healing and miracles with others?
4. Faith encourages sacrifice and offering: When Abraham was tested. He was ready to offer up Isaac; and he who received the promise was ready to offer up his only begotten son. Faith produces in us a selfless and sacrificial lifestyle. By faith, people have sacrificed material things for others. By faith, people are persecuted for speaking out against treachery and injustice. By faith, people sacrifice marital union for the service of God. Having a heart that is willing to sacrifice is a sure sign of faith. For how can a Christian claim to be a person of faith when he/she does not remember to give alms or to have a heart for others?
5. Faith creates the desire for heaven: Any faith that does not desire heaven is fake. Our faith looks towards eternity with God in heaven. Faith makes us believe that having lived on earth, we shall live with God in heaven. That desire for heaven and the love for God are sure signs of faith. For how can a Christian claim to be a person of faith when he/she does not believe in heaven, or gives the impression that life ends here on earth? May the Lord increase our faith and help our unbelief. Amen. God bless you, as I wish you a blessed week ahead.
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