Interpreting the Sign of Time

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday of 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1 and the Memorial of St. JohnPaul II, October 22nd, 2021
Texts: Romans 7: 18-25a; Ps. 119:66.68.76.77.93.94; Luke12:54-59
Jesus Christ challenges us, today. He asks us to look at the area we are not applying our discernment. He observes that we are good at interpreting the appearance of the earth and sky but deficient in interpreting the sign of the time. This is true: we can forecast when there will be flood; we can tell when drought will come; we make economic forecast etc. We can discern a lot of things except the nearness of God's Kingdom. Many a time we fail to see the presence of God in the happenings around us; we fail to see the nearness of His kingdom. Jesus  says, "You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?" Jesus Christ is telling us, today, that we have no excuse for not being aware of God's presence, for we have what it takes to do so. We are not aware of God's presence because we pay little or no attention to the things pertaining to God.
Jesus Christ also tells us to always take the better path. He reminds us that it costs less to settle disagreement amicably than to go to court. He says, "As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out. Till you have paid the very last copper.” Let us learn to resolve issue amicably; let us learn to dialogue.
St. Paul, in today's first reading, reminds us of our human weakness. We know what is right and we desire it but unable to do it. In the context of today's gospel reading, our incapacity to do what is right is a sign that we cannot do good by our own but by God's grace. Some Christians are too busy that they have no time to pray and read the word of God, and yet unable to discern that they are going far away from God. Some are too weak to pray and yet do not see evil creeping in. They are among people Jesus calls hypocrites, today. Our powerlessness in doing good is a call to approach God's throne of grace.
We do not need to lament our incapacity  to do good; we are to seek the help of God. To conquer our weakness we should begin by creating time for prayer and to read the word of God. Prayer and God's word strengthen us spiritually to overcome our weakness. Then, we should take further step by taking precautions. We need to know that no one is strong. The people we see as strong are those people who take precautions. They are those who mind the company they follow; they are the people who mind where they go, what they say, what they look and watch, what they touch, what they hear. They are the people who know their limit: they do not like stepping out of their boundary and they do not like people encroaching into their space. If we are to safeguard our weakness, we need to take precautions. Pray, read the word of God and take precautions and we will leave to tell the wonderful story of what God has done.
Today is the memorial of St. JohnPaul II. He was born May 18th, 1920 and ordained priest 1946. He was installed as auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958 and archbishop of the diocese in 1963. He was consecrated a cardinal in year 1967. 1978 he was elected Pope and chose the name JohnPaul II. His real name was Jozef Karol wojtyla. He was the first non-Italian pope. He travelled abroad extensively to facilitate greater understanding between nations and religions; he tried to unite nations and religions. He stood against political oppression, violence, and materialism. There was assassination attempt made on him, but he survived it. He visited the man who made the assassination attempt and forgave him. He teaches nonviolence activism, religious and national freedom. His global outreach brought global recognition and respect to papacy.
John Paul II engaged in conversation that led to the peaceful end of the Soviet regime in eastern Europe.  He brought Church to the fore by his reaching out to nations and many religious bodies. He achieved interfaith reconciliation with Judaism and Islam. In 1992 he promulgated a new catechism. He also canonized greater number of saints at about 500.

Lord God, we acknowledge our weaknesses and call to You for help; grant us the grace to conquer our weakness. Amen.
St. JohnPaul II, pray for us.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke