20th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere (Heb 12:1).
St. Paul teaches us how to view our life, our whole life. There is only one life that consists of both ordinary and spiritual reality. There is no division between the two. There is no separate spiritual world. All is here and now.
St. Paul encourages us to look at the witnesses so we may learn how to live, what to expect and, most important, what to expect so that you may not be sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb 6:12).
Who are the witnesses? The great figures of the Scriptures. St. Paul also reminds us that these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (1 Cor 10:11). They trust in God. Among them is Abraham, an outstanding example of faith.
We all know Abraham’s story (Gen 12:25). Once he heard the voice of the Lord, he left behind the security of the homeland and followed the Lord — from today’s south Iraq to the land of Israel. He is also the example of patience. He had to wait 25 long years to see his own son born! When he was finally rejoicing in his son Isaac, the Lord asked to sacrifice him! (Gen 22)
What we learn from Abraham is patience and trust, but, most important, that the Lord kept his word and blessed him. The Lord did not want the sacrifice but wanted to see what was in the heart of Abraham. For now, I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me (Gen 22:12). In the time of trial, the Lord did not abandon him!
Another example is Jacob and specifically his cunning character (Gen 27) that seems to be praised and without any consequences. However, at the end of the story, Jacob had to face a fight with a stranger, who turned out to be the Lord himself. When his name is changed, we learn who he fights. Israel means the one fighting God (Gen 32:23-33). After this mysterious night fight, Jacob humiliates himself before his brother Esau, asking him thus for forgiveness (Gen 33:1-11). The cunning, self-righteous and prosperous Jacob learns to be humble and authentic.
From his story, we learn that the Lord will always lead us to face our sins, giving us the opportunity to repent though. We could go on and on, however, these two examples are enough to understand the point. St. Paul recalls that those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith (Gal 3:9).
St. Paul finally challenges us to look on Jesus (Heb 12:2). Why? For Jesus is not only our Savior, who destroyed death, bringing about the forgiveness of sins and new life, but what happened to him happens to us. God allowed Jesus to go through adversities, torture and death. He allowed the silence to reign for three days. Nevertheless, on the third day, he intervenes and brings about the new life! Likewise, God the Father does not forget us but enters our challenges together with us. No matter how dark and never ending seems to be the challenge you face, God is there! He will act as he did with Jesus.
Looking at the witnesses and the Lord Jesus himself, we learn to trust and persevere. For by persevering, we will experience another reality St. Paul speaks about: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good (Rom 8:28) and God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1Cor 10:13).
Theodor of Cyr concludes his encouragement as follows. The models of godliness are set before us on all sides in such vast numbers as to resemble a cloud in density and testify to the power of faith. Accordingly, let us keep our eyes on them, be light on our feet and rid ourselves of the burden of unnecessary worries, in this way being able also to avoid sin that is easy to contract (Interpretation of Hebrews, 12, 82:768)