28th Sunday – How do you measure your success?

On this 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, let us reflect on the meaning of
success and how we can trust in God during difficult situations. Do we measure
success by how many possessions we have or achievements we have attained
or perhaps by our social status? In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah presents
an image of the Lord’s provision for all people by describing a feast on the
mountain, overflowing with rich food and choice wines. This feast symbolizes the
abundance of grace, joy, and fulfillment that God offers to us. It is a reminder that
true success does no lie in what possessions or achievements we have attained
in life, but rather in partaking in the divine banquet of God’s love and mercy.

Isaiah also speaks of the Lord’s intention to destroy the veil that veils all
peoples – the web woven over all nations. This image conveys God’s desire to
remove the barriers that separate us from Him and one another. It signifies the
restoration of unity, peace, and wholeness found only in God’s presence. In this
promise, we discover hope that God will ultimately conquer death, wiping away
every tear from our faces and ushering in eternal life.

In the second reading, St. Paul reassures us of our ability to do everything
through Christ, who strengthens us. Our success comes through God’s grace
and power and not from our own limited capacities. When we surrender
ourselves to God and trust Him, He equips us with everything we need to fulfill
His purpose for our lives. Our success is connected to our union with Christ and
our willingness to be instruments of His love in the world.

Trusting in the Lord and remaining faithful to Him is essential for individuals,
families, and communities. In difficult times, it is natural to question how we can
overcome our challenges and maintain trust in God; however, it is precisely
during these times of adversity that our faith is tested and strengthened. God
knows our struggles, our fears, and our doubts. Regardless of what we are going
through, by affirming that He is always with us and recalling His faithfulness
throughout history and our own personal experiences, we can find courage and
hope to persevere. Let us pray to our Heavenly Father; open our hearts to Him,
pour out our concerns, seek His guidance and surrender our burdens to Him.
Through prayer, we cultivate a relationship with God, build up our trust in Him
and allow Him to work in and through us.

Dear brothers and sisters, together as a faith community we can overcome
the difficult situations we face, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Let us pray for the grace to surrender our desires and ambitions to God and to
seek His will above all else.

Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor