Weather Prophets

Have you ever been looking for something that is literally right in front of you? The message in today’s gospel is to see what is right in front of you, spiritually speaking. We have become so good at calling a spade a spade haven’t we, but Jesus is calling us to deeper and truer self-awareness as an essential quality of spiritual maturity, and from that spiritual maturity, we can interpret the signs and wonders that God has set before us in the right here and now. Self-awareness allows us to know when our defenses are low, when we are in need of prayer or help, when things are not quite right, when changes in lifestyle need to be made, and when we are too busy, stressed, or tired. This basic self-weather report will lead us to be more grounded in our truest identity, which is being a Beloved Child of God. When we know this and when we see it right there, like a rain cloud or the Santa Ana winds blowing, then we become the visible, predictable sign that we belong to Christ. Having our finger on the pulse of God’s workings in ourselves unites us with God’s workings in the current times, which connects us to our call to be prophets in the world. Prophets remind people how God is working in their lives and how much more He has planned for them. How beautiful. 

Jesus has become a bit more urgent with His words in the gospels this week because He knew His time on earth was reaching an end. That same urgency seems to be relevant right now with all that is going on in the world. We need to be more alert and on guard than ever and seeing God in all things is the only way to fight these battles. When we notice the blowing of the Spirit, the rain of grace, and the hurricanes of mercy all around us, and when we are in touch with our own favor in the Lord, then we can truly weather the storms, navigate rough waters, and be the presence of peace that is so needed in these turbulent times. Let’s take some time to look at ourselves today and assess our own spiritual weather. Then spend some time looking for the workings of God all around us. What preparations do we need to make? What adjustments? What do we need to pay more attention to spiritually? 

Jesus wants us to be the predictable signs of His presence in the world. His presence is always peace, mercy, and light. It is well with my soul. 

Reading 1 ROM 7:18-25A

Brothers and sisters:
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

R.(68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”