19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, C August 10, 2025
Fr. Alexander Albert St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
What is faith? Once, a teacher asked that question to a group of children. One little boy raised his hand and said, “it’s believing something even when you know it’s not true!” Where did he get such an idea? I doubt anyone said those exact words to him. Someone probably told him that with their actions. Children don’t usually get hypocrisy, so they simply take in and imitate what they see. Why did that boy think Faith is believing something you know is not true? Because he saw people who acted like that… people who claimed to believe something, but acted like they it really wasn’t true.
If “believing something you know is not true” is the wrong definition, what is the right one? Our second reading from the letter to the Hebrews says this: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not an arbitrary choice, it is not a set of beliefs that you happen to agree with. Faith is an ability, a virtue, a habit. Faith is the realization, the assurance of things hoped for. The assurance of things hoped for – and what do we mean by the “realization,” this “assurance?” What do we hope for?
Jesus came, died, and rose from the dead; that much is historical fact. We have faith, however, that he will return. We believe he will then raise us from the dead and decide our eternal fate. Our faith in this, as the “realization” of what we hope for, means that we act like this will really happen, no matter how bad things get or how long it takes.
That’s why Jesus reminds us that our “Father is pleased to give [us] the kingdom.” It’s why he tells us, “do not be afraid any longer, little flock.” We are often afraid because what makes us happy can be taken away. We are often afraid because what we love can be taken away. But, if we can find happiness and love in something that cannot be taken away, then we have no need for fear.
I often hear Christians talk about faith as if it’s a protection from tragedy. “I have faith that I’ll get that job” or “I have faith that nothing bad will happen.” Don’t get me wrong, I too want you to succeed and to avoid tragedy and I will gladly pray for such things. God does often bless his faithful ones with gifts and protection. At the same time, however, God does not always guarantee such things.
When Jesus tells us not to be afraid, the point isn’t that faith is a magical power by which we can compel God to give us the things we think will make us happy. Faith is the realization of God keeping his promises. What he promises is a kingdom of eternal love, joy, and peace that cannot be taken away from us. “Thy kingdom come” as we pray in the Our Father. Question is, do you believe it? Or, like that child, is there some part of you that “knows” it’s not really true?
I think most us have times when we wonder what we actually know and what we believe. As I’ve said many times, our hearts are fickle things. They often whisper questions and doubts to us. They often chase after things we know won’t make us happy, but we follow our hearts there anyway … which is exactly why Jesus tells us “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
Sometimes, simply commanding our hearts what to love is not enough. Sometimes we cannot simply avoid it’s questioning doubts. What we can do, however, is lure our hearts in the right direction by putting our treasure in the right place. What Jesus says here is not pie-in-the-sky idealism. It’s not a vague theory. It’s down-to-earth practical advice on how to grow in the virtue of faith and guide our hearts.
If you want to train your heart to really trust God’s promise to give us the kingdom, then “provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach.” In modern terms, get a bank account with guaranteed returns and unbeatable security. What kind of money bag, what kind of bank account is that? The grace of God.
Seriously, Jesus repeatedly talks about heaven like a long-term investment account. He tells us to do things on earth that build up credit in heaven – he even calls them “wages” – so that we can collect huge returns in eternal life when we die. It doesn’t mean this life doesn’t matter or that this life is all misery. In fact, when we invest in heaven, it makes this life better. Not better as in more wealth or power, but better as in more joy and more peace, even in the midst of suffering.
So, how do we invest in this heavenly account that promises rich rewards in heaven and more joy and peace on earth? The Sacraments are always part of the answer, but today, Jesus focuses on these three ways: poverty, generosity, and vigilance.
First, he really does say, “sell your belongings.” Truth is, when we’re rich in earthly wealth, it’s so easy to forget about heavenly wealth. Living a life of simplicity might be “harder” in one way, but it at least makes it easier to remember that there’s more to life than this world. Some people – monks, nuns, missionaries – they do this in a more radical, literal way. Still, every Christian should always be looking for ways to cut back and live more simply. Even if we’re good at making a lot of money, it doesn’t mean we have to constantly increase our standard of living. It is possible to be very successful in our work and still live simply. After all, the less “stuff” we have for our hearts to get attached to, the easier it is to set our hearts on heaven.
Then there’s giving alms – generosity. This can especially help with the first one by giving us something to do with our wealth instead of pampering ourselves. God frequently identifies himself with the poor and needy. Even if we are poor and don’t have much to spare, whatever we do give – time, money, effort – that’s giving to God. It’s credit in heaven. The key, of course, is that we actually care about those in need and then use our resources to help and serve them. If we repeatedly choose to prioritize the good of people in need, if we actively treasure the good of others, our hearts will begin to follow.
Lastly, there’s vigilance. Jesus tells us two related parables on the importance of knowing that He is coming back. By frequently reminding ourselves that this world will end – and that it could end suddenly – we reinforce the value of the next world. In a sense, we can use some of that fear against itself. The thought, “I could lose all these things at any moment,” can cause anxiety, but it can also be a springboard for the thought, “so I should pay more attention to the stuff I can’t lose.”
Vigilance about the second coming offers motivation for putting time, money, and effort into things with no earthly return. Rather than “wasting” an hour in prayer, you’re “clocking in” at a company that pays better than any job on earth. Instead of “losing” money spent on the stuff Jesus tells you to sell, you’re “reinvesting” it in heaven. Serving those in need might not make you rich, but if you believe in the heavenly “money bag” Jesus speaks of, then it’s worth more than riches.
But that’s the question, isn’t it? Do we believe? Is our faith just lip service to something we “know” isn’t true? Or is it truly a realization of what is hoped for? Does our faith make the kingdom we hope for so real despite being invisible, it nonetheless shows in our bank accounts, on our calendars, and in our relationships? Can we mean it when we say, “thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven?” Can we mean “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” in my bank account… in my calendar… in my relationships… “as it is in heaven?”