Gospel
‘You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’
Luke 12:54–59
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming.” And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”, and it happens. 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?
‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 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 until you have paid the very last penny.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Knowing How to Interpret
Lord, in this Gospel You urge us to know how to interpret everything that happens to us through the eyes of a true believer. Our fallen nature distorts the way we see the world, so that I “always” see myself as a victim: people ignore me, they treat me unfairly, I am the one who has to bear the heaviest burden at work… The same happens, or even more so, in our marriage with our wife: “I am always” the one who makes the greatest effort, the one who puts up with the most, the one who listens the most, the one who… You, Lord, teach me that the opposite is true: I am the one who owes a duty of service to my colleagues at work, and even more so to my wife. When I see myself as a victim, it is a sign that I need to go to confession, to purify my way of seeing things, and there, in the confessional, to leave at Your feet every last little coin. Thank You, Lord, for my Suitable Helper, because she is the one who will help me to come out of myself and thus walk together towards You.
Applied to Married Life
Charlie: Hello, my dear Mary Jo, how has your day been?
Mary Jo: Hi, darling! I’ve been rushed off my feet. We’re really busy at work, and there are the children’s beginning-of-term meetings, too. Anyway… I’m looking forward to having a little time with you to relax.
Charlie: (thinking: “Blimey, she hasn’t even remembered my meeting, and she hasn’t asked how my day has gone.” He turns away and walks off.)
Mary Jo: (thinking: “Oh! How strange, he’s walked away without coming over to give me a kiss or anything. Something’s wrong with him; I’ll go and talk to him.”) Charlie!
Charlie: Yes?
Mary Jo: Today’s Gospel has come into my heart.
Charlie: What do you mean?
Mary Jo: Knowing how to interpret the signs. And I’m interpreting that something I’ve done has upset you. Forgive me, because whatever it is, I did it without realising and without wanting to hurt you.
Charlie: You certainly have interpreted that correctly… To be honest, it upset me that you didn’t ask me about my meeting or how my day had gone.
Mary Jo: You’re absolutely right! I was thinking only of myself and forgot to ask you about that meeting that was so important to you. Forgive me. How did it go?
Charlie: Surprisingly well. I was coming home so happy, looking forward to sharing it with you, and I fell headlong into temptation because of my pride.
Mary Jo: Let’s pray and place everything in the Lord’s hands. And let’s give thanks for having cleared up this misunderstanding so quickly. Thank You, Lord, for such a wonderful husband!
Charlie: Thank You, Lord, for such a lovely wife!
Mother
Thank You for your Yes. You are our model of humility in welcoming the Word of the Lord. We love You very much! Blessed and praised be the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.