In our first reading today from Ephesians 4, St. Paul urges his readers 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.” I love this passage of Scripture because it first assumes that we have received a call. It then goes on to tell us how we can “live in a manner worthy of the call” we have received. Not easy to pull off, but great practical advice!
In the Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus chastises the people because they know how to interpret the weather and the signs that the earth gives, but they have no idea “how to interpret the present time.” In other words, they couldn’t see the forest for the trees. They knew what it meant when the wind blew a certain way and when clouds rose up that there was rain on the way. But they had no idea that the Messiah was standing right in front of them! Even miracle after miracle, sign after sign couldn’t convince them.
What does it mean today to “interpret the times?” Many have predicted the end of the world, the return of Christ, the rapture – all citing their interpretation of “the times.” So far, all have been wrong. Others like to point to the winds of change that have blown through society, especially regarding morality (or lack thereof). They say that the Church needs to change her teachings to “get with the times.” This is wrong, too. We are called to stand as a witness to the timeless truths handed on by Christ Jesus. The “times” will come and go. But the word of the Lord stands forever.
Father, help us to always stand for the truth, regardless of what the “times” say. Amen.
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