26 Oct 2012, Friday of Week 29; The Eleven Martyrs of Almeria, Spain

26 October, 2012

Friday of Week 29; The Eleven Martyrs of Almeria, Spain

FIRST READING
Ephesians 4:1-6

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

ALLELUIA
See Matthew 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.

GOSPEL
Luke 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.”

REFLECTIONS:

How good are you at reading warning signs? Jesus
expects his disciples to accurately read the signs of the times!
Farmers and seafarers know the importance of spotting weather conditions
for safe travel and planting. A lot of effort is made today, with the help
of science and technology, to discern potential natural dangers, such as
tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, tornados, earth quakes, and erupting
volcanoes, so that people can be warned to take shelter before disaster
hits. Our need for accurately discerning spiritual danger is even more
necessary if we want to avoid a spiritual crisis or a moral disaster. Jesus
used a vivid illustration to point out the urgency of getting right with
God before it is too late. If you got into serious trouble with your neighbor
and did something that could get you severely penalized (like being thrown
into jail and loosing everything you owned), would you not try to settle
the case out-of-court to avoid the worst consequences?
None of us has the power and strength of will for overcoming sin and
evil on our own. We stand in constant need of God's grace, help, strength,
and protection. That is why scripture uses vivid language to describe God
as our rock, refuge, fortress, and mighty defense. We are also vulnerable
to Satan's lies and deceptions as well as our own spiritual blindspots
for recognizing sin and moral weakness in our own lives. That is why we
need God's help and discernment for distinguishing between truth and error,
right and wrong, good and evil. Fortunately the Lord Jesus, who is a just
judge, is also a merciful advocate who pleads for us at the right hand
of the Father in heaven. The light of Jesus Christ reveals what is in our
hearts and his grace frees us from the tyranny of sinful habits, hurtful
desires, and harmful addictions. God's call is urgent and his grace is
available for total freedom and transformation in Christ. If we want to
turn away from sin the Lord is ready to give us the grace and help we need
to choose for his way of love and holiness. Are you ready for his saving
grace and healing action in your life?

"Lord Jesus, flood my heart with your love and free me for all that
would keep me from doing your will. Transform my mind that I may discern
what is right and have the courage to choose what is good and pleasing
to you."