Sacred Scripture
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” (Luke 12:54-59)
Reflection
When I was growing up, my father wanted to be sure that I was developing the ability to sense and to understand that which was happening around me. So, often,, he would challenge me as to what I saw in a certain event in my life or what I thought was happening. He would end most conversations with me by saying: “You see, it’s as plain as the nose on your face. It’s right there.”
In our Gospel today, Jesus forcefully reminds those listening to him that the truth about Jesus was plain before their eyes. They knew. They understood. But they refused to accept it. They were not ignorant, but they were deniers of the truth because they didn’t like what the truth meant for them.
His words invite us to meditate and reflect on our very own attitude and disposition towards God’s word and the coming of His kingdom. His words invite us to question ourselves as to how we have responded to the teachings of our Lord Jesus. Have we been faithful to our covenant relationship with our God that should death come upon us in the middle of the night, would we be ready to face our Creator? Or are we living a life of sin that death could catch us unprepared
One of the truths of life in this world is that what we choose determines who we become. Choosing not only has consequences outside of us, it changes us. This is what we call the moral life.
We need to look in our own lives to see the effects of wrong choices. We need to honestly acknowledge the struggle we face as we try to choose to follow the Lord – but often choose against Him. The struggle to do what is good – even though we know it is right. We need to move away from making excuses about our lives. Yes, there are those events in life – often sad – that shape us but they do not mold us. We have the ability – through Jesus Christ – to move away from negative events in our past and choose a brighter future.
If we have faith in Jesus, there’s no need to consult anyone regarding our future. We only have to get closer to Jesus through prayer, by listening to Him who directly speaks to us when we read the bible and watching the change in our lives when we act as the hands and feet of Christ.
Jesus is always an ever-present friend who is always there for us. He will not predict our future based on the obvious signs of the times. But He will always be an omnipresent companion as we walk from our present going to our future.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, change my heart and my life that I may fully live for you. Help me to choose what is right and to turn away from every sin and from every attachment to worldliness which keeps me from loving and serving you wholeheartedly.”
Daily Note
The capacity to make choices the Image of God, present within each one of us. That is why growth in true freedom requires a relationship with the God who is its source and the Savior, who alone can set us free from the law of death of which Paul writes. Jesus addressed this connection between freedom and truth: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31)
