L ike Jesus’ contemporaries we are knowledgeable in many different areas: in history, politics, psychology, gardening, philosophy, and so on. Like them, we may also not realize the importance of the present time, of the Kingdom of God that is growing among us, and of our commitment to this Kingdom of justice.

Friday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Romans 7:18-25a

Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

L uke 12:54-59 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 by Alex Rödlach

T wo words came to my mind when I was reading the texts of today’s mass: action and failure. As followers of Christ we are committed to action but have to cope with our frequent failure to live our faith.

In the Gospel, Jesus contrasts his contemporaries’ knowledge and understanding of natural processes with their inability to understand the importance of his presence among them. With all their knowledge, they are still unable “to interpret the present time.” The present time is the time of his presence among them, when he announces that God’s Kingdom has come! It is also the time when he is calling everyone to actively participate in establishing the Kingdom on earth. He is calling everyone to action! Like Jesus’ contemporaries we are knowledgeable in many different areas: in history, politics, psychology, gardening, philosophy, and so on. Like them, we may also not realize the importance of the present time, of the Kingdom of God that is growing among us, and of our commitment to this Kingdom of justice.

I am convinced that most of the time we are somewhat aware of the need to live our commitment to God’s Kingdom in whatever we are doing. However, we also experience what Paul describes in the first reading of today: we want to do good, but instead do something bad, that we don’t really intend to do. We want to be supportive of relatives who need a good word but instead waste time and energy with shopping for some trivial items. We want to be involved in our neighborhood but instead watch TV during a residents’ association meeting. We want to live “green” but instead avoid carpooling. We want to spend quality time with our partners and children but instead decide to focus on our work.

The list of such failures is long. At times we may be tempted to give up the ideals that are part of our faith commitment. Why to bother with wanting to do good if we cannot live up to our ideals! Paul shows us how to deal with our frustrations. He does not give up because he is convinced that God will do something good through him. What for an encouraging insight! Despite our failures, God will do something good through us. The Evangelist Luke also advices us how to respond to failures: if things go wrong we should not overly worry; we should not lose our ideals and motivation; we should not give up. Instead we should “settle the matter on the way”! We should simply ask God for forgiveness for our failures, apologize to others, and then continue being involved in working for his Kingdom.

Failures are common in our commitment to God’s Kingdom, but we believe that God will nevertheless do something good through us, will forgive us when things go wrong, and guide us in our involvement with his Kingdom.

Supplementary Reading

THE BETTER PoRTIoN

There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. – Luke 10:42

D uring weekdays, he would drive himself to work and be boss to his staff as vice president of finance in a humongous manufacturing company. Once a week, in the evening, and on weekends, he would prepare his garage for a prayer meeting. He’d fix the chairs, clean the blackboard, set up the sound system, check the bathrooms for toilet paper and other small jobs.

When his son Bo started preaching at the age of 13, this boss — a chief accountant and an MBA graduate — would be in the audience, listening and absorbing everything that his son was teaching.

His humility was astounding, and his desire to serve God had no boundaries, no creed and no distinctions. He preferred to serve.

Gene Sanchez passed away a couple of years ago but his life’s witness continues beyond the grave. He taught me that humility, more than man’s accolade, is the better portion. -- Chelle Crisanto

REFLECTION:

Are you proud of your position, title and achievements? Do you glory in the honor that your colleagues give you?

Please help me be humble, Lord, amidst my victories that You may be seen and not me.

Thought of the Day

Where is the source of hope and of joy? It is in God, who tirelessly seeks us out and finds in us the profound beauty of the human soul.

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