19th sunday C

*Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ©

Luke 12, 32-48

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Living as a minority

José Antonio Pagola

Translation by Vally D'Souza sj

Luke has compiled in his gospel some words full of love and affection Jesus spoke to  his followers, both men and women. They frequently remain unnoticed. However, read carefully today  by our parishes and Christian communities, they acquire a surprising contemporary significance. It’s what we need to hear from Jesus in these not so untroubled times for the faith.

“My little flock”. Jesus regards his small group of followers with immense tenderness. They are few. They are called to remain a minority. They are not to dream of great accomplishments. This is how Jesus always thinks of them: a bit of “yeast” hidden in the dough, a small “light” shining in the darkness, a pinch of “salt” to add flavor to life.

 After centuries of “Christian “imperialism”, we disciples of Christ have to learn to live as a minority. It is a mistake to long for a powerful and strong Church. It is a delusion to seek worldly power or to want to dominate society. The Gospel is not imposed by force. It spreads like a contagion from those who live like Jesus making life more humane for those around them.

“Do not be afraid”. It’s the great concern of Jesus. He does not want to see his followers paralyzed by fear or overwhelmed by discouragement. They must never lose faith or their peace. Even today, we are a small flock, but we can remain very close to Jesus, the Pastor who guides and protects us. He is able to have us live through these times with peace.

“Your Father has willed to give you the kingdom.” Jesus reminds them once again. They must not feel themselves orphaned. They have God for Father. He has entrusted them his project of the Kingdom. It is his great gift to them. It’s the best thing we have in our communities: the task of making life more humane and the hope of directing history to its ultimate salvation.

“Sell your possessions and give the proceeds  away in charity.”- The followers of Jesus are a small flock, but they must never become a sect locked in their own concerns. They will not live   oblivious to the needs of others. They will be communities that have their doors open to all. They will share their belongings with those who need help and solidarity. They will give alms, that is, “mercy”. This is the original meaning of the Greek word.

We Christians will still need some time to learn to live as a minority in the midst of a secular and plural society. But there is something we can and must do without waiting for anything: to change the environment that exists in our communities and make them more evangelical. Pope Francis is showing us the way with his actions and his life style.