Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

The big idea in today’s readings is about having deep trust in God—and always being ready for whatever God calls us to do or however life may change. 

In the First Reading, we hear about the ancient Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt. They put their hope in God’s promises, even when things looked impossible. Because they trusted God,  they took action, celebrated the first Passover as God instructed, and stayed prepared for freedom. Their faith gave them hope, and hope led to their rescue. 

The Responsorial Psalm today (Psalm 33) encourages us to trust in God’s goodness and care for us. We are reminded that God knows, loves, and watches over each of us. Our faith gives us confidence, knowing God is working for our good, even when we can’t see it right away. 

In our Second Reading, from Hebrews, faith is described as “being sure of what we hope for,  and certain of what we do not see.” The writer points to Abraham and other ancestors who showed what faith looks like: believing in God’s promises, even when everything seemed uncertain or far away. 

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers not to be afraid because God wants to give them the  Kingdom. But He also says it’s important to always be prepared, because we don’t know when  God will call us home or when Jesus will return. Jesus uses two stories: 

• Thief in the Night: just like you wouldn’t want a thief to catch you off guard, Jesus wants us to protect what is most valuable, our relationship with God, so that evil doesn’t sneak in to steal our faith or our joy. 

• Servant Waiting for the Master: we should be like faithful servants, always ready to serve, always trying to do what is right, and looking out for others, especially in small,  everyday ways. 

The message for us is simple but important: live every day with faith and readiness. Don’t become lazy or distracted by things that don’t matter. Keep your relationship with Jesus alive by loving God, loving others, and serving where you can because none of us knows how long we have, or when we will meet Jesus face-to-face. 

The Book of Revelation says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock.” Let us make sure our hearts are open to Jesus, always ready to welcome Him; He wants to share His life and love with us, now and forever. So, trust God’s promises. Stay focused on what matters most. Be ready and alert, living each day as a gift, loving and serving others, and keeping your heart close to Jesus. That is how we find real peace, purpose, and joy.