Friday 21 October 2022

Today is Friday the 21st of October, in the 29th week of Ordinary Time


Veni, lumen cordium, veni sancte spiritus. “Come Holy Spirit. Come, light of our hearts.”

When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays in us.

As I begin my prayer today, I pause for a few moments to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten me, to invite the Holy Spirit into my life, into my mind and into my heart.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:54-49

Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; 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?

Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison.

I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."

This reading from Luke’s Gospel is a challenging way to end this week’s reflections! Sometimes the Gospels challenge us to be awakened in our hearts, to see things more clearly, even if some of those things are not so comfortable. There are so many situations in our world today that are difficult and challenging. Does it feel easier to close your eyes and hope they will go away?

Or to allow the eyes of your heart and mind to be awakened to see and face difficulties?

What does this Gospel challenge in your life or in the world around you now? What would it be like to open the eyes of your heart to the greatest challenges you face, or to the great challenges the world faces?

Don’t be afraid to allow yourself to be challenged as you hear the Gospel again.

Why not just talk over with God, as a friend, some of the most difficult decisions and responsibilities of your life at the moment. Maybe the week ahead will turn out to be a time of unexpected joy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.