Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
One day, some people told Jesus what had occurred in the temple: Pilate had had Galileans killed, and their blood mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus asked them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this? No, I tell you. But unless you change your ways, you will all perish, as they did.
And those eighteen persons in Siloah, who were crushed when the tower fell, do you think they were more guilty than all the others in Jerusalem? I tell you: no. But unless you change your ways, you will all perish, as they did.”
And Jesus continued, “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none. Then he said to the gardener, ‘Look here, for three years now I have been looking for figs on this tree, and I have found none. Cut it down, why should it continue to deplete the soil?’ The gardener replied, ‘Leave it one more year, so that I may dig around it and add some fertilizer; perhaps it will bear fruit from now on. But if it doesn’t, you can cut it down.’”

Reflections
“But unless you change your ways, you will all perish.”
Earlier, “publish or perish” be- came the hashtag of many universities. This is because tertiary educators are required to do research and publish. The consequence when this requirement is not complied with is of course to “perish”, meaning, to be out of the academe. It is argued that such a requirement is unreasonable and is unmindful of consequent inconveniences added to the already loaded responsibilities of teachers. But the education sector stood on its ground asserting that this has always been part of the conditions for college teachers.
“Publish or perish” is an intimidating phrase. But more frightening is“change your ways (repent) or perish”. The Lord has indeed more serious demands. That is why one author said that Christianity is not for the weak of heart but for the strong. It is only for those who can rise up to the challenge, to truly change their ways, and become productive as the Lord expects. And we cannot argue that this is unreasonable and that this adds more difficulty to our already difficult life. We were not coerced to become Christians. We made that choice. At that time that following Jesus became our decision, we knew the expectation.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59
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 the wind blows from the south, you say, ‘It will be hot’; and so it is. You superficial people! You understand the signs of the earth and the sky, but you don’t understand the present times. And why do you not judge for yourselves what is fit? When you go with your accuser before the court, try to settle the case on the way, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge deliver you to the jailer, and the jailer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Reflections
“But you don’t understand the present times.”
In general, a sign is an indicator that suggests or signals the presence of some condition. And in general, too, we are very good in this. We know that the existence of smoke indicates fire, the heavy clouds warn of an impending rain, high body temperature hints at fever. Our farmers know the right time for planting just looking up at the sky. But we seem to miss seeing signs in other aspects of our life that could bring much spiritual and transcendent benefits. The many things that we go through in life could also be signs telling us about our spiritual health and the state of our faith. Other than looking at the conditions of our environment we should be cognizant of order of our life as fol- lowers of Jesus. Jesus is at work in our life in many mysterious ways. But we recognize Him at work only in those positive ones. Many times, we fail to recognize that even in the seemingly negative happenings the Lord gives us signs that require sound interpretation and judgment. We overlook the message that could bring us to the right path, just as we fail to notice the blessings that misfortunes bring.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
I have come to bring fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what anguish I feel until it is finished!
Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, in one house five will be divided: three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in- law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Reflections
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?”
Is the Lord divisive? One answer is no. Jesus desires unity. This was in fact revealed to us in the so-called high priestly prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of St. John (cf. John 17: 21). Even St. Pope John Paul II acknowledged this as a challenge to the Church from the Lord in his 1995 encyclical Ut Unum Sint, quoting Vatican II dec­ree Unitatis Redintegratio: "the Church is… sent to the world to announce and witness, to make present and spread the mystery of communion which is essential to her, and to gather all people and all things into Christ, so as to be for all an 'inseparable sacrament of unity’” (5). God’s eternal plan is to put all things united under Christ (cf. Eph. 1:9-10). And, needless to say, yes, Christ also brings peace (cf. Eph. 2:14).
But placed in the context of the whole Chapter 12 of Luke’s gospel, another answer to the question “Is the Lord divisive?” is yes! The Lord’s return demands faith, and faith is a choice. In life, as we prepare for his return, it is either we are on his side or against him. Our choice might create opposition even from our family. But the wisest option is to be on the side of Christ because our loyalty to him will matter most in his return than our fidelity to family ties.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48
Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”
Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward, whom the master sets over his other servants, to give them wheat at the proper time. Fortunate is this servant if his master, on coming home, finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.
But it may be that the steward thinks, ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the male servants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk. Then the master will come on a day he does not expect, and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off, and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
The servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare and do what his master wanted, will be soundly beaten; but the one who does unconsciously what deserves punishment, shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one who has been entrusted with more.

Reflections
“And more will be asked of the one who has been entrusted with more.”
We have an additional lesson on being prepared. This time, the Lord uses the image of the thief. This does not mean of course that the Lord is like a thief in his character. The illustration simply points to the difficulty to estimate the thief’s hour of breaking in, therefore readiness at all time is necessary. It is challenging trying to enter into the mind of the thief so it is necessary to avoid negligence in anticipating his every move.
The Lord’s warning about the consequence of not being prepared when he comes is pretty consistent. There will be judgment. But here the Lord distinguishes between receiving a sound beating and receiving fewer blows. The key here is understanding concerning “not doing what one knows” and “not doing what one does not know”. All of us are God’s servants. But not all of us possess the same amount of knowledge about the Master’s will. We may all be mediocre in preparing for his return to deserve punishment. Those who did not know about it will receive a few blows. But more unfortunate shall we be who know more about it and did not do much.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019