21st Sunday in Ordinary Time(Cycle C, YearI)

Community Word:To be with God is the greatest treasureof all.

Theme:We store heavenly treasure when we strive to endure our trials with discipline.

Promise:“…all discipline…brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”(Hb 12:11)

Reflection:
The exhortation of St. Paul in Hebrews 12:5 -7 is very compelling and thought provoking. It says: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as ‘discipline.’” The adversities that a person may be going through is part of God’s disciplining, because his way of life may not conform to God’s will. The message that the Lord is giving us is for one to mend his ways and go back to Him. This is not easy especially if living a sinful life gives one a false sense of happiness and emotional attachment, for example in irregular relationships, despite its accompanying problems and difficulties.But there is a decision to be made, if one has to heed the voice in ones heart to live in the spirit of true peace and joy.

Our trials in life, those ups and downs in marriage, those troubles with our families, jobs, and day to day living, they all work together to discipline us, building our character, increasing our wisdom, keeping our integrity intact, and even allowing us to look to other possibilities that God has planned for our life. Our difficulties could simply be part of the world we live in and it is in these situations that we can experience the extra-ordinary presence of God and deepen our relationship with Him. God does not want us to suffer; He does not inflict pain on us. But God allows these instances of suffering, pain and disappointment to discipline us, not to punish but rather as “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.”He uses these as opportunities to bestow His grace upon us, bringing us closer to Him and training us to turn to Him.

The following testimony shows how the Lord works in a mysterious way through trials and difficulties:

“Until a few years ago, I had not experienced significant suffering in my life. I remember feeling on many occasions that I was living a “charmed” life. Inexplicably, I was spared of any major trials and I was lavished with plentiful blessings. But this changed in 2013 when my family experienced unemployment and a member was diagnosed with cancer.

Through trials and sufferings, God revealed idols I had been embracing. Instead of worshipping the Giver, I adored good gifts. Things like health, status, income, and friendships. Things that I developed attachment to. And when those things were gone, God revealed to me just how dependent I had becomeon them, things I had been clinging to, hoping and praying that when those inevitable trials come, I would be allowed to hold on to them.

But God loves me more than I love these things,to no longerembrace these gifts and be attached to them when I can embrace the Giver Himself. God’s conviction made me realize how idolatrous my heart had become and He brought repentance to my heart. He turned my unfaithful heart back to Him and I began to encounter God more intimately once again. And even during those times of difficulties, those were also one of the most joyful years of my life…the joy of being in God’s presence. And I know that God is always with me; I never doubted that.”

Brothers and sisters, let us have a new perspective about life with its attendant difficulties, sufferings and trials, for it is God’s promise that, “…all discipline…brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it,” (Hb 12:11).

Prayer:
Lord, we call upon You in those times when we experience trials and difficulties. Give us fortitude and the will to bear our heavy burdens. Have mercy on us as we struggle to endure life’s hardships, understanding that this is your way of disciplining us. And in the end, may we rise above them with renewed spirit. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. Were there times when your faith wavered as you went through seemingly insurmountable problems? Share an experience and how you were able to overcome it which deepened your faith in God.
2. In your pastoral and evangelization work, are there situations where you are able to minister to those struggling with adversities? Share your experience.

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
August 25, 2019 (Sun) – Is 66:18-21/Ps 117:1, 2/Heb 12:5-7.11-13/Lk 13:22-30
August 26, 2019 (Mon) – 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8-10/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Mt 23:13-22
August 27, 2019 (Tue) – 1 Thes 2:1-8/Ps 139:1-6/Mt 23:23-26
August 28, 2019 (Wed) – 1 Thes 2:9-13/Ps 139:7-12/Mt 23:27-32
August 29, 2019 (Thu) – 1 Thes 3:7-13/Ps 90:3-5, 12-14, 17/Mk 6:17-29
August 30, 2019 (Fri) – 1 Thes 4:1-8/Ps 97:1, 2, 5, 6, 10-12/Mt 25:1-13
August 31, 2019 (Sat) – 1 Thes 4:9-11/Ps 98:1, 7-9/Mt 25:14-30

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”