Settle Matters with God on the Way

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Optional Memorial of St. John Paul II)
October 22, 2021

Readings: Read in Full here
    Reading I: Rom 7:18-25a
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
    Gospel: Lk 12:54-59

Reading the signs of the times is not just about understanding future events, it is, also, most importantly, about what we need to do in the present.

During the time of Jesus, as it is today, it was easy to forecast the weather. This knowledge of the future gives us opportunities to prepare for it, especially if a big storm is coming. To be better prepared for the worst, we set our minds and hearts on what is to come, and we set aside what the present moment offers.

I think, we tend to do the same when we think about the end times. There are those who literally prepare for whatever devastation of apocalyptic proportions may come, whether a zombie, nuclear, planetary apocalypse, etc. In doing this, we tend to neglect the grace of the present moment. Jesus said; "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?" He teaches us that the kind of preparation we ought to do is to make amicable settlements with the Lord today, at this present time, while on the way towards Judgement Day. He said, "If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way." This present moment is a gift for us to settle matters with God by earnestly pleading for His mercy and forgiveness, by making amends for the sins we have committed, and by devoting ourselves to loving Him and His people. These and many others, we can do today while on the way.

Let us now ask ourselves, what efforts am I making to make an amicable settlement with God so that I may not be thrown into prison on the day of judgment?

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

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