Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 477
Lectionary: 477
Brothers and
sisters:
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial PsalmPS 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
GospelLK 12:54-59
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.”
“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.”
Meditation: "How
to interpret the present time"
How good
are you at reading warning signs? Jesus expects his disciples to accurately
read the signs of the times! Farmers and seafarers know the
importance of spotting weather conditions for safe travel and planting. A lot
of effort is made today, with the help of science and technology, to discern
potential natural dangers, such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods,
tornados, earth quakes, and erupting volcanoes, so that people can be warned to
take shelter before disaster hits. Our need for accurately discerning spiritual
danger is even more necessary if we want to avoid a spiritual crisis or a moral
disaster. Jesus used a vivid illustration to point out the urgency of getting
right with God before it is too late. If you got into serious trouble with your
neighbor and did something that could get you severely penalized (like being
thrown into jail and loosing everything you owned), would you not try to settle
the case out-of-court to avoid the worst consequences?
None of
us has the power and strength of will for overcoming sin and evil on our own.
We stand in constant need of God's grace, help, strength, and protection. That
is why scripture uses vivid language to describe God as our rock, refuge,
fortress, and mighty defense. We are also vulnerable to Satan's lies and
deceptions as well as our own spiritual blindspots for recognizing sin and
moral weakness in our own lives. That is why we need God's help and discernment
for distinguishing between truth and error, right and wrong, good and evil.
Fortunately the Lord Jesus, who is a just judge, is also a merciful advocate
who pleads for us at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The light of Jesus
Christ reveals what is in our hearts and his grace frees us from the tyranny of
sinful habits, hurtful desires, and harmful addictions. God's call is urgent
and his grace is available for total freedom and transformation in Christ. If
we want to turn away from sin the Lord is ready to give us the grace and help
we need to choose for his way of love and holiness. Are you ready for his
saving grace and healing action in your life?
"Lord
Jesus, flood my heart with your love and free me for all that would keep me
from doing your will. Transform my mind that I may discern what is right and
have the courage to choose what is good and pleasing to you."
Spiritual Weather Reports |
Friday of the
Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
|
Father Steven
Reilly, LC
Luke 12:54-59
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."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are here with me. I
have come to honor and adore you. Your love sustains me. I want to love you
more in return.
Petition: Lord, allow me to comprehend your providence
more deeply.
1. Seeing Signs: Jesus expresses some indignation with the
spiritual obtuseness of his listeners; in other words, they don’t get it!
When it comes to earthly matters, they can put two and two together in an
almost infallible manner. A dim dullness, however, has the upper hand when
the spiritual realm is broached. Why? Possibly because they were not
bothering to ponder what the sign of Jesus’ presence, miracles and words
really meant. They remained on the superficial level without plumbing the
depths. Superficiality inhibits our own spiritual progress as well. Seeing
signs isn’t so much a matter of being able to pick out the shape of a
tabernacle or cross in a passing cloud, but of deep and prayerful
consideration of the love of God in our lives.
2. God’s Presence: People who live a life of consistent prayer
are much more in tune with God’s presence. Where others see coincidence, they
see providence. This gives them a profound sense of peace. They know that God
is in charge and that they don’t have to figure out everything for
themselves. The world doesn’t rest on their shoulders, but on God’s. So
instead of complaining or worrying, they live in an atmosphere of trust and
acceptance.
3. Paying Attention: God’s providence guides all things. We know
this through faith and sometimes he sends a sign to say, “Yes, I’m indeed
here.” Once a Legionary priest was driving down the road in Virginia and his
thoughts were taken up with a difficulty he was having with a particular
person. “How should I handle this,” he asked himself. A car pulled out in
front of him. Virginia is known for its high number of vanity license plates,
and this one left him scratching his head. The license plate read “CARITAS”,
which is Latin for “charity.” Was it just a coincidence? He couldn’t deny
that this was the answer he was looking for. The signs that invite us to be
more Christ-like are the ones to which we need to pay the most attention.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, the times I really don’t pick up on
the signs you send me are when they challenge my resistance to your grace.
Help me to overcome my spiritual superficiality and perceive your presence in
my life.
Resolution: I will try to be prompt in following the
inspirations of the Holy Spirit.
|
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, LUKE 12:54-59
(Romans 7:18-25a; Psalm 119)
(Romans 7:18-25a; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?" (v 57).
READING: Jesus warned the people that they were facing God's coming judgment, yet they refused to make a decision for or against him. He chastised them for being able to observe the weather signs that predicted rain or shine, yet they ignored the signs of the coming of God's reign. Jesus told his followers that God's judgment was already taking place. There might be little time left to be reconciled to God and to put one's affairs in order. He said that it would be much easier to settle "out of court" than to face the ominous judgment of Almighty God. At such time they would be required to pay the full price for their misdeeds. Then they would regret that they did not heed Jesus' words.
REFLECTING: What are the signs of the times that I must pay attention to today.
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to listen to your words while there is still time to act on them.
Teach me your laws, O Lord.
‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right?’Jesus, throughout his public life, was followed by people asking questions. Sometimes these were asked in all sincerity, but often they were designed to entrap him. One day, in exasperation, he asked, ‘Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’ These people had come not seeking the truth or to hear what he had to say or to understand who he was, but to fill their own agendas, wanting to trip him up. It can be difficult to set aside our own personal agendas and to sit quietly and listen to what Jesus might be trying to say to us.
October 25
St. Antônio de Sant’Anna Galvão
(1739-1822)
St. Antônio de Sant’Anna Galvão
(1739-1822)
God’s plan in a person’s life often takes unexpected turns which
become life-giving through cooperation with God’s grace.
Born in
Guarantingueta near São Paulo (Brazil), Antônio attended the Jesuit seminary in
Belem but later decided to become a Franciscan friar. Invested in 1760, he made
final profession the following year and was ordained in 1762.
In São
Paulo, he served as preacher, confessor and porter. Within a few years he was
appointed confessor to the Recollects of St. Teresa, a group of nuns in that
city. He and Sister Helena Maria of the Holy Spirit founded a new community of
sisters under the patronage of Our Lady of the Conception of Divine Providence.
Sister Helena Maria’s premature death the next year left Father Antônio
responsible for the new congregation, especially for building a convent and
church adequate for their growing numbers.
He served
as novice master for the friars in Macacu and as guardian of St. Francis Friary
in São Paulo. He founded St. Clare Friary in Sorocaba. With the permission of
his provincial and the bishop, he spent his last days at the Recolhimento de
Nossa Senhora da Luz, the convent of the sisters’ congregation he had helped
establish.
He was
beatified in Rome on October 25, 1998, and canonized in 2007.
Comment:
Holy women and men cannot help calling our attention to God, to God’s creation and to all the people whom God loves. The lives of holy people are so oriented toward God that this has become their definition of "normal." Do people see my life or yours as a living sign of God’s steadfast love? What might have to change for that to happen?
Holy women and men cannot help calling our attention to God, to God’s creation and to all the people whom God loves. The lives of holy people are so oriented toward God that this has become their definition of "normal." Do people see my life or yours as a living sign of God’s steadfast love? What might have to change for that to happen?
Quote:
During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II quoted from the Second Letter to Timothy (4:17), "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully," and then said that Antônio "fulfilled his religious consecration by dedicating himself with love and devotion to the afflicted, the suffering and the slaves of his era in Brazil." The pope continued, "His authentically Franciscan faith, evangelically lived and apostolically spent in serving his neighbor, will be an encouragement to imitate this ‘man of peace and charity.’"
During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II quoted from the Second Letter to Timothy (4:17), "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully," and then said that Antônio "fulfilled his religious consecration by dedicating himself with love and devotion to the afflicted, the suffering and the slaves of his era in Brazil." The pope continued, "His authentically Franciscan faith, evangelically lived and apostolically spent in serving his neighbor, will be an encouragement to imitate this ‘man of peace and charity.’"
LECTIO: LUKE
12,54-59
Lectio:
Friday, October 25, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
our source of power and inspiration,
give us strength and joy
in serving you as followers of Christ,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 12,54-59
Jesus said again to the crowds, 'When you see
a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it
does. And when the wind is from the south you say it's going to be hot, and it
is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky.
How is it you do not know how to interpret these times? 'Why not judge for
yourselves what is upright?
For example: when you are going to court with
your opponent, make an effort to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you
before the judge and the judge hand you over to the officer and the officer
have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have
paid the very last penny.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today presents the call on the
part of Jesus to learn to read the Signs of the Times. This was the text which
inspired the Pope John XXIII to convoke the Church to be more attentive to the
signs of Time and to perceive better the calls of God in the events of the
history of humanity.
• Luke 12, 54-55: Everybody knows how to
interpret the face of the earth and of the sky... “When you see a cloud looming
up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when
the wind is from the south you say it’s going to be hot and it is”. Jesus
reports a universal human experience. Every body and each one, in his own
country or region, knows how to read the face of the sky and of the earth. The
body itself understands when there is threat of rain or when the time begins to
change: “It will rain”. Jesus refers to the contemplation of nature since it is
one of the most important sources of knowledge and of experience which he
himself had of God. It was the contemplation of nature that helped to discover
new aspects in faith and in the history of his people. For example, rain which
falls on the good and the bad, and the sun which rises on the upright and on
the unjust, helped him to formulate one of the revolutionary messages: “Love
your enemies!” (Mt 5, 43-45).
• Luke 12, 56-57: ..., but they do not know
how to read the signs of the time. And Jesus draws the conclusion for his
contemporaries and for all of us: “Hypocrites!” You know how to interpret the
face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these
times? Why not judge for yourselves what is upright? Saint Augustine said that
nature, creation, is the first book that God wrote. Through nature, God speaks
to us. Sin mixes up the letters of the book of nature and, because of this we
have not succeeded in reading God’s message printed in the things of nature and
in the facts of life. The bible is the second book of God, it was written not
to occupy or substitute Life but to help us to interpret nature and life and to
learn again to discover the calls of God in the facts of life. “Why not judge
for yourselves what is upright?” Sharing among ourselves what we see in nature,
we will be able to discover God’s call in life.
• Luke 12, 58-59: To know how to draw lessons
for life. “When you are going to court with your opponent , make an effort to
settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge
hand you over to the officer and the officer have you thrown into prison I tell
you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny”. One of the
points on which Jesus insists most is reconciliation. At that time there were
many tensions and conflicts among the radical groups which had different
tendencies, without dialogue: Zelots, Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and
Herodians... No one wanted to give in before others. The words of Jesus on
reconciliation which require acceptance and understanding enlighten this
situation; because the only sin which God does not forgive is our lack of
forgiveness toward others (Mt 6, 14). This is why he advices to seek reconciliation
before it is too late! When the time of judgment comes, it will be too late.
When there is still time try to change life, behaviour and way of thinking and
seek to act justly (cf. Mt 5, 25-26; Col 3,13; Ep 4, 32; Mk 11, 25).
4) Personal questions
• Read the signs of the Times. When I listen
or read the news on TV or in the newspaper am I concerned to perceive the calls
of God in these facts?
• Reconciliation, to be reconciled is the most
insistent request of Jesus. Do I try to collaborate in reconciliation between
persons, the races, the people, the tendencies?
5) Concluding prayer
To Yahweh belong the earth and all it
contains,
the world and all who live there;
it is he who laid its foundations on the seas,
on the flowing waters fixed it firm. (Ps 24,1-2)
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