19th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

 


19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C]


You’re asking yourself: Why do I have to hear about these people who lived during the Old Testament period? Consider this possibility: it’s the Lord’s way of placing you before a mirror. You’re seeing your own reflection when you visualize the Patriarch known to us as Abraham (referenced in Hebrews chapter eleven). He’s a man who receives a number of blessings. And, in addition, he’s a man on the move. He’s a sojourner, or rather, a pilgrim. 


Guess what? So are you. It’s all right there in Hebrews chapter eleven. Pay close attention to verses thirteen through sixteen. It turns out that we are likewise on a pilgrimage. We’re advancing step-by-step, drawing ever closer to our final destination, our ultimate home. That explains the appearance of Abraham. His pilgrimage calls to mind the reality of our own ongoing pilgrimage. Meanwhile, what about the Israelites (featured in Wisdom chapter eighteen)? What do they represent? 


Similar to Abraham, they are being blessed. In their case, it’s a particular kind of blessing: they are being blessed with the gift of liberation. Liberation will translate into movement. Much like Abraham, they will become a people on the move. The journey they pursue will lead them to a location called the Promised Land. In other words, they are taking on a new status. They can be regarded as sojourners, or pilgrims. By extension, we see our own reflection when we visualize the mobilized Israelites—just as we see our own reflection when we visualize Abraham and his personal pilgrimage. 


We’re heading toward a New Testament version of the Promised Land. As with the cases noted earlier, we are a people on the move. At least that’s the hope. We’re supposed to be on the move, not standing still. The pattern to avoid is the pattern of Narcissus. He’s somebody you can read about within the pages of classical Greek mythology. He notices his reflection in a pool of water. Where does the story go from there? Nowhere. He remains there, in that spot. He stations himself beside the pool of water so that he can continue studying the image of his reflection. 


It should be noted, when you “station” yourself, it means that you are NOT on the move. You’re not being a pilgrim. Not only are you letting the Lord down, but you’re also letting yourself down. Essentially, you’re turning your back on wealth. When you accept the life of a pilgrim, this is how you become wealthy, at least according to the standard presented in Luke’s Gospel (12:33). Jesus talks about a treasure that will never fade, never depreciate. He’s describing a currency that will never be stolen or devalued. You obtain this bounty by embracing your vocation. First of all, you will want to recognize your pilgrim status. Then, you will want to celebrate your pilgrim status. And finally, by all means, make it clear to the Lord, and to the people around you, that you definitely are on a pilgrimage. 

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