First reading Ephesians 4:1-6
One Body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
Responsorial Psalm 23(24):1-6
Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Gospel Luke 12:54-59
Do you not know how to interpret these times?
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?
‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’
Unity
In the first reading, St Paul states, “Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.” Christian unity grows when we bear with one another in love and practise selflessness, gentleness and patience. This is especially important when misunderstandings or differences arise in our relationships. Choosing peace and love is not a sign of weakness, but of the inner strength that comes from a close union with Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that although they can interpret signs in the weather, they fail to recognise God’s presence in Him. What about us? We may be able to read the signs of the economy, people’s moods or politics, but do we recognise what God is asking of us today? God always wants us to work for peace and reconciliation. Let us not wait, but begin building peace and unity today.
Reflective question:
What sign is God giving me at this moment, and how can I bring peace and unity today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
