St. John Paul Ⅱ

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Romans 7:18-25a

I know that what is right

Does not abide in me, I mean, in my flesh. I can want to do what is right, but I am unable to do it. In fact I do not do the good I want, but the evil I hate. Therefore, if I do what I do not want to do, I am not the one striving towards evil, but Sin which is in me.

 I discover, then, this reality: though I wish to do what is right, the evil with­in me asserts itself first. My inmost self agrees and rejoices with the law of God, but I notice in my body another law challenging the law of the spirit, and delivering me as a slave to the law of sin written in my members. 

Alas, for me! Who will free me from this being which is only death? Let us give thanks to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

 

Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

Lord, teach me your statutes.

 

＊＊＊＊ 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 in prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

The truth about Jesus has been in plain sight since the very beginning of His ministry. It is for all those who have eyes to see. Right in front of their eyes he had healed the sick and raised the dead.

Right in front of their eyes people had gathered in their thousands to hear his teaching. None of these things had been done in secret. The signs are there. The evidence is clear. So what prevented the people of Jesus’ time to recognize the sign?

It is because they have a different notion of what a Messiah is. In their own history as God’s people, the Messiah has always been a special person anointed by God. The likes of Moses, Joshua, David, Samson and the likes are humans.

And so, when God’s only Son Himself came down to be their savior, they are hard pressed to recognize him. More so when Jesus advocates the revolution of love, rather than of military might and power. Nothing like this has happened before in their past. That is why they miss God’s signs all along.