Luke 12:54-59

Ephesians 4:1-6

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, enlighten my mind to discern the signs of the times. I do not want to remain in ignorance or dedicate my life to unimportant things. Human life is so short, barely the blink of an eye. And yet, how I live this short life on earth will determine how I will live for all eternity.

Encountering the Word of God

1. How to Interpret the Present Time: Jesus called out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Scholars of the Law. Today, he also calls out the hypocrisy of the crowds. He notes how they are able to discern that it is going to rain when they see clouds rising on the western horizon from the Mediterranean Sea. They can also foresee hot weather when the wind blows from the south. Jesus marvels that they are so good at interpreting weather patterns but that they do not spend time or energy interpreting what is most important in life. The person who stands before them is their Lord and Messiah, the Son of God and the Son of Man, who has inaugurated and unleashed the time of tribulation before the time of salvation. This is a time for repentance. And yet, they are ignorant of this and more concerned with superficial things like weather forecasts.

2. Settle on the Way: If this is the time of visitation, then it is the time for repentance. Jesus encourages his disciples to be reconciled with their brothers and sisters during their earthly lives before they encounter the Lord God, who will judge them at the moment of their death. The Bible often compares sin to debt. When we sin, we accrue debt (Luke 7:4—43, 47; 11:4); when we do what is right, good, and just, we build up heavenly credit and treasure. Jesus’ mission is to proclaim the jubilee year of the remission of such debts (Luke 4:18-19). “However, these debts will not be forgiven without repentance – the sooner, the better. Jesus will now take up this message by issuing an urgent summons to repentance (Luke 13:3,5)” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 248).

3. The Establishment and Preservation of Unity: Paul exhorts the Ephesians to walk the path of goodness and reject evil. This path includes the virtues of humility, gentleness, and patience. Humility concerns how we view ourselves. Gentleness or meekness is not weakness. It is a virtue of the courageous and peacemakers who know how to temper their strength and act accordingly. Those who are patient are like God, who is slow to anger (Exodus 34:6). These virtues enable the Christian to bear with others through love. They are essential to the preservation of unity among the members of the Church. We form one body. We share one Spirit. We are called to and hope for the blessing of eternal life. We have one Lord, Jesus Christ. We profess the one faith. We have received one Baptism. We are children of one God and Father of all. Our bond of unity in the Church is not superficial, like a club membership, but profound and deep!

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you brought all peoples into the unity of your divine family.  May I always be a promoter of unity in your Church. I want to be like St. Paul, who overcame many obstacles and was able to bring many different and diverse people into your family.

Living the Word of God: When I wake up in the morning, do I spend more time looking at the weather forecast or conversing with God? Do I spend more time catching up on social media, local and national news, and the markets, or more time reflecting on how I can love God and my neighbor throughout the day? Am I accruing debt through sinful acts or heavenly treasure through righteous deeds? Am I promoting unity or division within the Church?