Settle the Matter on the Way

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney 

Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? (Romans 7:24) 

I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. (Psalms 119:94

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.” (Luke 12:54-59)

Piety

Lord, relieve me of my stubbornness and willfulness and fear. Help me to come to you and acknowledge my sins and begin anew.

Study

When we’re sick, we take a pill, use some ointment, or go to the doctor.

When we need directions, we turn on the GPS, consult an online or paper map, or ask a friend.

When we know we’re going to have to face God eventually about something that troubles us and grieves him, we …

How do you fill in the blank?

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus sounds a mite frustrated with the crowds. How can they be smart enough to forecast the weather based on the signs God provides and smart enough to negotiate a settlement rather than go to trial with a losing cause, and yet ignore all the signs that Jesus is fulfilling the Biblical prophecies?

How indeed. Maybe it was some of the same fear of change that makes us keep our distance from God at the times we know we are most in need of his help, that fear that there is no way in the world we could ever be forgiven for our sins. But the thing is, just as the crowds knew about the weather and earthly judgment, we know that seeking forgiveness and resolving to do better with God’s help is attainable. All we have to do is ask for direction.

Action

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. All you have to lose is the weight on your soul.