GOSPEL READING:
Luke 12:54-5954 He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
Meditation: How good are you at reading warning signs?
Jesus expects his disciples to accurately read the signs of
the times! Seafarers and farmers 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, tornadoes, earth quakes, and erupting
volcanoes, so that people can be warned to take shelter before
disaster hits.
Don't miss God's kingdom and power to transform your life
Our need for accurately discerning the spiritual condition and
moral climate around us is vital if we want to avert spiritual
crisis and moral disaster. The Lord is ready to transform our
lives by offering us his kingdom of righteousness (moral
goodness), peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). - But
we can miss it if we allow a permissive attitude that takes sin
lightly or puts off repairing wrongdoing before it is too late to
get reconciled with God.
Jesus used a very vivid illustration of a threatening lawsuit to
show the urgency of settling a bad case outside of court before a
worse sentence could be passed against us. Why did the neighbor in
Jesus' story make an effort to come to an agreement with his
adversary before the matter was sent to court for judgment? The
accused knew that he had a bad case which would likely go against
him in court. He quickly tried to come to an agreement with his
adversary to avoid receiving a worse sentence of being thrown into
prison and given a costly fine as well.
Jesus will set us free and fill us with the Holy Spirit
We all stand in need of God's mercy, grace, and protection. The Lord
Jesus is our physician and healer and he is ready to set us free
from any sinful patterns of thinking, acting, and speaking. If we
give our lives over to him he will fill us with his Holy Spirit and
give us a new heart and a transformed mind that is filled with his
truth, love, and goodness. If you want lasting peace and joy with
God, then allow the Lord Jesus to transform every area of your life,
your home, your work, your relationships, and possessions so that he
may truly be the Lord and Giver of abundant life and righteousness.
Are you ready to surrender all to him - and to receive all from him?
Lord Jesus, flood my heart with your love and free me from all that would keep me from doing your will. Transform my mind that I may discern what is right and choose what is good and pleasing to you.
Psalm 119:66,68,76-77,93-94
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
76 Let your steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
93 I will never forget your precepts; for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours, save me; for I have sought your precepts.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long
observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall
or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are
very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable
for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell
storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of
the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed
beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the
last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit
to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a
lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening
and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).
"We might now understand that when, like the
day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious
and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation
would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and
abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also
find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride
personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my
neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the
rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the
ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I
said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who
believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE,
HOMILY 95)
