Responding to the time

There are two things that our Lord Jesus Christ tells us to do in today’s Gospel (Luke 12:54-59): we need to “interpret the present time” and we need to “settle the matter on the way”.

Many have interpreted this passage as warning us to look for signs of the world’s ending and to make ourselves right with God while we still have time.

There is much truth in that interpretation, although too many spend too much time trying to match current events to Biblical prophecies and forecast the manner, day, and hour of the world’s ending and not enough time in repentance and in deepening their relationship with God.

Interpreting the present time also means recognizing the will of God for us each day and even each hour.

Yet, even if we recognize God’s will, we do not always do it.

That sad and frustrating situation we all experience (I know I do) is described simply yet powerfully by Saint Paul in today’s first reading (Romans 7:18-25a):

For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.

What is the solution?

How do we interpret the present time and respond to God’s will?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The answer, the solution, and the only way is grace.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we must pray for the grace of understanding and the gift of interpretation.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we must pray for the grace of repentance.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we must pray for the grace to respond to His will and to carry it out.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.