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Fr. Dave Heney

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Gospel Reflections for August 7 2022: 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

August 5, 2022 By Father Dave 6 Comments

Gospel Reflections for August 7 2022

Gospel for August 7 2022 – Luke 12:32-48

Gospel Reflections for August 7 2022

Surprise return!

How would you feel if you knew that Our Lord was coming for your life right now? Nervous? Anxious? Surprised? 

Is there anything you would do different? This Gospel is not meant to cause fear but rather to instill greater confidence and peace. Recognizing you will not live forever helps you to value the days you are alive now and value your family and friends even more. 

Jesus tells the story of a master and servant, and the master’s sudden return home, a clear reminder that your life may come to a sudden end you may not expect.  

This is a timely Gospel! I am sure all the innocent victims in Uvalde, Texas, or other tragic mass shootings did not expect any of these events when they started their day. 

We are grateful for those students who made it out alive, and our prayers continue for those who did not, along with prayers for their family and friends. 

From Satan’s temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we know we still live in a world where there are deeply sinful and selfish people who put their needs over others. However, their selfishness must never tempt you to change the path of Christ you have chosen, which must always be a path of love.

Each day you have important family routines, household chores, job expectations, and  friendships to maintain. If you are especially organized you might make priority lists each day for the tasks you want done and in the right order. 

Recent tragic events and today’s Gospel invite you to add several key ideas to your list every day. 

You always want to keep your relationship with God current and on a daily basis. Talk with Him every day and especially throughout the day. You should always take care of your relationships with your loved ones too. Never let a day go by where you do not express your love to them. 

Finally, you should never let any sinful and selfish people, like mass shooters, change your commitment to love always. Those people have chosen their sinful and selfish path. You must daily choose your path of love no matter what others may do.  

If your path is about love every day, then you will greatly enjoy your life now, and greet the coming of Our Lord at the end of your time with confidence, peace, and joy. No surprises there!

God Bless!
Fr. Dave

Fr. Dave Heney - DaveHeney.com

Filed Under: Gospel Reflections

About Father Dave

Fr. Dave Heney was ordained a parish priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1978. In 1991 he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California. He has authored three books and founded The University Series, a Lenten adult education program. Currently he is Pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier, California. Learn more about Fr. Dave >>

Comments

  1. Tom Joyce says

    August 6, 2022 at 7:17 am

    We instinctively know that death is part and parcel of living but we tend to put off thinking about it. Staying in the state of Sanctifying Grace and living Life in accord with our Faith certainly helps. The Love we express for each other is what Christ Preached .
    Living a life of Love is great preparation for how we feel when We must leave life.
    Thanks for these reminders Father Dave.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      August 6, 2022 at 8:54 pm

      Nice summary of my thoughts as well. Thanks Tom.

      Reply
  2. Philomena Gatto says

    August 6, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you Fr. Dave, for a wonderful recipe on how to be happy in this life
    and the next!

    Even though our days may be busy, we need to recognize God’s Presence
    within and to know that He is always waiting to hear from us.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      August 6, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      Well said!

      Reply
  3. franca says

    August 6, 2022 at 9:20 pm

    Beautiful words Father Dave, Love the beauty of living our path in love everyday!!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeee you for your precious inspirations!!!Our precious Jesus must love you alot for inspiring everyone to live His LOVE!!!
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      August 8, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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