GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 21ST OCTOBER 2016
FRIDAY OF THE 29TH WEEK IN ORDIANRY TIME
1ST READING: Ephesians 4:1-6
PSALM: Psalm 24:1-6
GOSPEL: Luke 12:54-59
THEME: SIGNS OF THE TIMES
I would often run to remove my clothes from the drying line whenever there is a sudden change in weather. In doing so, I do not need anybody to tell me that it might rain; the change in weather offers me enough evidence to make an appropriate and a quick response.
In our Gospel text, Jesus employs the analogy of weather forecast to drive home the need for us to read the signs of the times. He said to the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 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?” (Luke 12:54-56).
The focus of the public ministry of Jesus was the proclamation of the message of the Kingdom of God. By his words and actions, he offered enough evidence that something new was happening and that the Kingdom of God was being established among human beings. He expected the beneficiaries of his ministry to read the signs of the times and embrace the message of the Kingdom. Some did but others refused. In fact, some even accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebub. In response to that charge, he said, “If it is through the finger of God that I drive devils out, then the kingdom of God has indeed caught you unawares” (Luke 11:20).
To interpret the present time presupposes that there are enough clues in the present that can help one to arrive at a good discernment and decision. It implies that we are not bereft of signs from above. Just take a deep look into your own personal world. Look with your heart and you would see the writings on the wall. When you sense the wind blowing, that should give you a clue of what is coming your way. Unfortunately, sometimes we sense the strong winds, we hear the sound of thunder and yet we walk onto the streets without an umbrella, hoping that it would not rain. Hope must be grounded on evidence not on mere wishes, for “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride”.
In every moment, God speaks to his children. In this present moment, God is speaking and he calls us to read the signs of the times.
Prayer: Eternal Father, we thank you for your fatherly care and guidance. As we go about our activities today, open our ears and eyes that we may discern your will. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).