Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

August 10, 2025

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time


Luke 12:32-48


Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,

for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell your belongings and give alms.

Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,

an inexhaustible treasure in heaven

that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.


“Gird your loins and light your lamps

and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,

ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants

whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. 

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,

have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch

and find them prepared in this way,

blessed are those servants.

Be sure of this:

if the master of the house had known the hour

when the thief was coming,

he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,

the Son of Man will come.”


Then Peter said,

“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”

And the Lord replied,

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward

whom the master will put in charge of his servants

to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?

Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.

Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant

in charge of all his property.

But if that servant says to himself,

‘My master is delayed in coming,’

and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,

to eat and drink and get drunk,

then that servant’s master will come

on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour

and will punish the servant severely

and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

That servant who knew his master’s will

but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will

shall be beaten severely;

and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will

but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating

shall be beaten only lightly.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,

and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”


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A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT ...

providing insight into the Gospel's meaning


Being Alert in Order to Serve


~ Rev. Jordan J. Kelly, O.P.

Chaplain to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters at the Convent of Divine Love + Philadelphia, Pa.


The first two verses of this Gospel form our understanding, as well as the impact, of the entire pericope we read at today’s Liturgy. The compilers of the Lectionary offer an option to omit these verses: don’t.

 

Jesus speaks in the present tense and imperative mood “do not be afraid, little flock…” every word is essential. To be free from fear equips us to serve no matter the struggle. The urgency of tense and mood continues, Sell your belongings and give alms, to gain the greatest treasure of knowing, loving, and serving the Lord – a gift that can never be taken from you.

 

Luke wraps within this servant parable the eschatological commentary concerning the qualities of which are necessary to be a leader in the Christian Community: fidelity to the way of life Christ has given us and faithfully working to create unity within the community.

 

For Luke, the greatest demonstration of this faithful – unity is through the example of service. Lucan service begins within the community and from this unity, serves the marginalized. This service will lead to the very significant role reversal Luke foretells in verse 37, Amen I say to you he will gird himself, have them recline at table…. The master serving the servants references the transcendent generosity of God, who faithfully serves, giving His very self, and never found wanting.

 

Verses 43-48 teach us about the reward given to those who are prepared to serve, some exegetes suggest this readiness references “caring to be ready to serve”, whenever the Master returns. To always be watching and waiting for the Lord, this is the life of the faithful servant. The passage concludes as it began: we are called to put our faith into action, all the time, because, Much will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.


A VIEW FROM THE PEW ...

offering testimonies on how the Gospel is meaningful


Living Like Heaven is the Goal



~ Conor Donnelly

Saint Maron's Parish + Philadelphia, Pa.


Have you ever felt like life is just about working harder, earning more, keeping up with everything and everyone? It’s easy to get pulled into the hustle. But today’s Gospel asks: what are we really aiming for?


I’ll be honest, some days I get so caught up in daily responsibilities that I forget why I’m doing any of it. I tell myself I’m doing what needs to be done, but deep down I know I sometimes place too much trust in what I can earn or control.


When Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” it hits home. It makes me wonder: is my heart tied up in the things of this world, or in something greater?


The image of servants waiting for their master really spoke to me. It reminded me that I don’t want to drift through life on autopilot. I want to be present, alert to what God is asking of me. I want to be awake—ready, not perfect, but trying to live in a way that says, “I haven’t forgotten who I belong to.”


And that verse, "your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom” it surprised me. I don’t have to earn His love or prove I’m enough. He’s already offering me something lasting, something no success or possession can match.


I think today’s Gospel is a gentle but firm invitation: to loosen my grip on all the stuff I cling to, and to trust that what really matters can’t be taken away.


Maybe it’s time I started living like heaven is the goal — not just someday, but today.

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