First reading Romans 7:18-25
Every time I want to do good it is something evil that comes to hand
I know of nothing good living in me – living, that is, in my unspiritual self – for though the will to do what is good is in me, the performance is not, with the result that instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the sinful things I do not want. When I act against my will, then, it is not my true self doing it, but sin which lives in me.
In fact, this seems to be the rule, that every single time I want to do good it is something evil that comes to hand. In my inmost self I dearly love God’s Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):66,68,76-77,93-94
Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me discernment and knowledge
for I trust in your commands.
You are good and your deeds are good;
teach me your statutes.
Let your love be ready to console me
by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come and I shall live
for your law is my delight.
I will never forget your precepts
for with them you give me life.
Save me, for I am yours
since I seek your precepts.
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.’
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Lord, I want to see you again!
In today’s gospel, Jesus was frustrated with the people who claimed they could read and understand the signs of nature. Yet, these same people could not see the greatest sign before them, i.e. God is with and among them in the person of Jesus. Something huge was happening right before them, but they failed to see God’s presence in the words and actions of Jesus.
We can be so aware of the signs of the weather but blinded to God’s loving presence among us and in us. Do we see Him in the words of a friend, in the needs of those around us, in the inner thirst we have for quiet time of prayer? Do we open ourselves to Him and welcome Him in the people we meet, events we live, and challenges we encounter? Do we see Him in the Eucharist and His Word? May we have eyes to see and hearts to rejoice in the presence of God around us.
Reflective question:
What prevents me from perceiving God’s presence around me today?
What prevents me from perceiving God’s presence around me today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
