Are we ready?

19th Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year C

Today’s Gospel has a theme of watchfulness, we need to be ready for when Jesus returns, but since we don’t know when that day will be we need to be on constant alert, we need to prepare ourselves. 

The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews refers to Abraham’s deep faith in God which strengthened him. Abraham’s faith was his real treasure and he took it with him wherever he went. It was a part of his being, his heart was in the same place as his treasure. That is what Jesus hopes will be the case with his disciples and with us. Jesus says that “where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” Jesus is really asking us as disciples “What is our real treasure?” We can ask the same question of ourselves, “What is in my treasure box (my heart)? What is it that I value most in my life?” The Gospel asks us “is our treasure the kind of treasure that will not fail us? The kind of treasure Jesus talks about cannot be stolen by a thief, it cannot be destroyed as it is based on love. We are not to be like the rich man in last Sunday’s Gospel who planned to store his grain in large barns rather than share it with others. We are, rather, to share our wealth with those in need. Our treasure will be in heaven where it will not wear out or be destroyed.

In order to be ready for Jesus’ return we need to prepare ourselves, like servants waiting for the master’s return from a wedding feast not sure exactly at what time that will be. Jesus is teaching us that one day he will return, and that his return will always be a surprise. Even so, we need to be ready for this day it mustn’t catch us out, we need to constantly act out our faith by living Christian lives displaying our Christian beliefs. Exhibiting generosity, kindness, patience which as parents we can carry out within our daily family lives. Sometimes our lives of faith can become flat and lacking a sense of inspiration. God gives us the encouragement we need through his Word and through the Holy Spirit. We might think that Jesus is definitely not coming back during our lifetime but Jesus tells us otherwise. His return could be as soon as tomorrow. We may be afraid of the idea and just dismiss it. But we need to ask ourselves the question “am I ready and watching for Jesus’ return?” Am I able to give account to God of how I have lived? Pray together as a family for openness to God and the courage to respond to God’s call.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk12: 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.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3.  Jesus always promised that he would return at the end of the age, and we must be ready because none of us know when it will be. In what ways can you make yourself ready for the Lord? Spend time each day this week reflecting how you have lived out the Gospel.
  4.  Try to make a resolution to yourself that you will try harder this week to see the actions of others through the lens of faith.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk12:32-48)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green cloth
    v. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

In the Gospel today Jesus talks about treasure, but it’s not the kind of treasure which pirates find and keep in in a treasure chest. It is treasure which we keep in the ‘treasure box’ of our heart. The kind of treasure which will help us get into Heaven. Let’s listen to what Jesus says.

  • Jesus tells us to be prepared for when He comes back again. Since we don’t know when that will be we should always be ready by storing up treasure in Heaven.
  • Piggy Bank template
  • Colours/Pencil
Piggy Bank templateDownload

Do you know what a piggy bank is? How many of you have a piggy bank at home? If your answer is ‘yes’ then you know that a piggy bank is used to save money. Then when it is full it is opened and with the money saved you can buy something you really like. Some people, at the end of each day, put all of the change from their pockets into the piggy bank. Other people put their pocket money from doing chores around the house. It’s amazing just how quickly you can save money like this.

It is good to be able to save money and plan for the future because we never know what is going to happen. Maybe you would like to buy a birthday present for your parents or a special friend so you could use the money saved for the present. Although it is good to save money we have to be careful that saving money doesn’t become the most important thing in our life.

In today’s Gospel Jesus warned His friends and followers about making money the most important thing to them, he said “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” What he means is that we should not worry too much about having lots of treasures on earth such as lots of money, the latest mobile phone, designer clothes, jewels, big houses as when we die everything we have will be gone. Instead we should focus on building up good treasure stored up for heaven. 

What do you think would be treasures in heaven? Some examples are, give money to the poor, visiting a friend who is sick, donating food to a food bank, giving your unwanted toys to the poor, being friendly to a new person in your class at school. Forgiving someone who has hurt you and saying sorry when you do something wrong.

Can you think of anymore? 

If money or food or nice clothes are the most important things in your life then it shows that you love them more than you should. But if being kind and helpful to others and loving God are more important to you than having nice things ,then you have a good treasure stored up for Heaven. So let’s try to fill our hearts with the treasures of Heaven as they will last forever! 

Now ask yourselves, “What is my treasure?” based on what we have said about treasures in Heaven. Then print out the piggy bank. Colour it and write the treasures you would like to store in it on the picture (Some words to help you…. Love, faith, generosity, forgiveness, joy, hope, peace). 

Listen to the song; I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy in my heart.

Sign of the Cross.

Dear God, help us to be faithful each day in building up treasures in Heaven. Help us to be kind, loving and generous to those around us. Help us to live each day with faith, hope and love. Amen

Today Jesus tells his followers another parable (the Vigilant and Faithful Servants) and he talks about how important it is for us to be aware and alert, otherwise we will miss something. It explains that it is always the right time to be acting like a disciple of Christ.

  • Jesus wants us to be alert to the needs of others so that when he returns, he will find us acting like true disciples.
  • Any unwanted toys which we don’t need anymore

In the Gospel today Jesus teaches his disciples to be faithful, to be alert and ready. He tells them to let go of the things they own and give what they have to the poor. Jesus encourages the disciples and us to look forward with hope, keeping our focus on God.

Last Sunday, Jesus told us that the rich man who planned to build large barns to store his great harvest was foolish. This Sunday, however, he is telling us to be prepared, to be watchful, and to have a plan. Our plan should not be a selfish plan like the rich man’s plan last Sunday who planned only to take care of himself. We should act like true followers of Jesus, helping others, being kind and telling others about the Good News of Jesus.

Many people plan for the future, what goals they would like to achieve in their lives. A good footballer such as Christian Ronaldo has to train very hard in order to be the best and win trophies. A good tennis player such as Serena Williams had to practise very hard every day to be the world’s best tennis star. They have to be prepared in order to be the best at their sports. Do you play a sport or a musical instrument or go to ballet or dance classes? If you do then you know that you have to train hard and practise in order to play well. It is exactly the same for us being a follower of Jesus, we need to practise faithfully and at all times so that we can be true disciples of Christ. We need to be aware of the teachings of Jesus that is why we go to Mass and go to catechism lessons. If we don’t know what Jesus said then how can we tell others about Jesus? We need to stay focused on God and be alert for when Jesus returns. Jesus has saved us by his death and resurrection but we should not just say we are followers of Jesus but we should act like followers of Jesus. We should pay attention to others and notice how we can help them. That way, when Jesus returns, he will find us acting like loving disciples. Let’s plan to pay special attention this week to how we can help our family and friends.

Sometime this week take a look in your toy box/ cupboard to see if you have any games or toys which you don’t need anymore. Pack them neatly in a box and ask your parents if you can give them to children in need or to refugee children. Remember that there are many children who don’t have any toys to play with. 

Listen to this song; Jesus is my super hero.

Sign of the cross.

Let us pray. Thank you God for loving me, for always keeping me in your care. Help me to be alert and to pay attention to what Jesus taught me. Thank you for the gifts of faith, hope and love. Amen

Coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.