11th October 2019

Jesus the Lord of all.

You can’t complain about getting soaked to the skin, if you chose to venture out without an umbrella despite the warning signs given by the dark clouds, the claps of thunder and the flashes of lightning.

The prophet Joel was called by God to help the chosen people recognize the warning signs of the doom they would bring upon themselves, if they continued their wickedness. Joel was a learned prophet, who had studied the past, which helped him predict the imminent future. This is why, in today’s first reading, he urges his people to heed the signs of the times and change from their sinfulness with prayer, penance and fasting.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11: 23).

Are you for Jesus or against Him? How do you know where you stand with Jesus? Ready for the test?

#1 Are you aligned with the mind of Jesus on the poor and the homeless?

#2 Are you helping as a shepherd to attract people to the Church or scattering them in all directions?

#3 What is your attitude to orphans, widows and immigrants?

#4 Where do you stand on life issues? 50% or 100%?

These are just a few questions. You see clearly that there can be no neutral position on these questions. No “Independents.” You are either working with Jesus or hurting the cause of Jesus. Decide today to work with Jesus in building up His Kingdom.

In today’s Gospel, once again, the people conveniently choose to ignore the sign that Jesus offers them as proof that He had come to bring about the promised kingdom of God. Acknowledging His action of exorcism as a sign would force them to change from their wickedness, and so they demanded more signs.

Those who wait for something spectacular to happen before they decide to change are those who are not really interested in change.