Daily Reflection – 10/27/2023
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
Remember the expression, “it’s as plain as the nose on your face.”
It fits this scriptural passage.
In our Gospel today, Jesus forcefully reminds those listening to him that the truth about Jesus is right 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.
That hasn’t changed through today. Too often, there are those who seek to change the words of Christ so they “fit better” with their lives. When that happens, the power of the Word is changed. The truth is no longer from God but rather is some individual pseudo-creed.
We all need to honestly acknowledge the struggle we face as we try to choose to follow the Lord – but often choose against Him. One of the truths of life is that what we choose determines who we become. Choosing not only has consequences outside of us, but it also changes us. The wrong choices affect us negatively just as the right choices strengthen our faith.
Our faith grows when we take the time 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 Hise teachings. 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?
It is critical to our spiritual life that we examine our lives to see the effects of the wrong choices that we made and move away from making excuses about our lives. Yes, there are those events in life – often sad – that shape us but they need 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 grow closer to Jesus through prayer, by listening to Him who directly speaks to us when we read scripture and then watching the change in our lives as we act as the hands and feet of Christ.
Prayer — scriptural reflection — acting as the hands and feet of Christ. Those are the actions that build a strong relationship with Christ.
When we have that relationship, we don’t need signs to point us to Christ because we are already with Him.
We can experience the joy of knowing and feeling that Jesus is an ever-present friend who is always there for us.
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
Spiritual growth requires a relationship with 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)
