Friday of week 29 in Ordinary Time 

Romans 7:18-25
Psalm 118(119):66,68,76-77,93-94
Luke 12:54-59

READING THE SIGNS OF TIME

After speaking to His disciples, Christ addresses the crowd, teaching about the world’s state in relation to His second coming. Their livelihood depended on agriculture and fishing, so they understood weather signs—like clouds from the West indicating rain, or southern winds bringing heat—helping them decide when to harvest or prepare for travel.

He urged them to discern the signs of His coming and the final days, emphasizing wisdom in spiritual matters as in weather observation. Since nature is unpredictable, Christ urges discernment of salvation as a privilege, because we do not know the exact time of His return. Each generation claims to be more knowledgeable, building on past knowledge, but perhaps we’re missing key understanding, as even His original listeners did.

Paul’s writings highlight the conflict between grace and sin—our struggle between doing right and wrong, despite a desire for holiness. Grace, obedience, and striving help us in our faith journey. As St. John Paul II said, “Darkness can only be scattered by light, hatred by love.”

True understanding is a journey as important as the destination, focusing on guiding signs rather than fear of the end times. Staying on the right path ensures we need not worry about the final days, for Jesus, the Way, will lead us there. Mother Mary, help us.

Fr Joseph Osho