Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Why do people like to talk about the weather? It’s a safe conversation–everyone can observe it; we are all impacted by it; it’s a pretty neutral and objective topic; and it fills time and space. It’s almost always easier and safer to talk about the weather than politics or religion. The weather is not political; it’s comfortable to discuss. It is mostly fact; can’t really argue about whether (pun intended) or not that wet stuff outside is rain. It doesn’t take a special degree or certification to prepare to talk about it. So, I find it amusing today in the gospel that Jesus uses weather to make his point to the crowds. “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Lk 12:56)
I have been connected to the Marianists since I was a student at the University of Dayton. During my time at UD, I participated in a lay formation program and made a commitment to growing in faith, service, and embracing the mission of bringing Christ to the world as Mary did. Over the last 15 years, I have continued to be formed by the Marianist charism and currently work for a Marianist sponsored high school. In both my work at Chaminade Julienne and my personal life, I endeavor to live the charism daily, hoping that my words and actions might help to transform the lives of others, inviting them into the gospel message of Jesus. A common phrase in Marianist ministry is ‘reading the signs of the times’. We believe that it is critical to the work of the church and our ability to adapt to the needs of current realities. Times change and it is important that we recognize these changes, understand them, and distinguish new methods to address things accordingly.
Jesus is frustrated with the crowds who have gathered to listen to him, “Why do you not judge for yourself what is right?” (57) Jesus just wants us to pay attention to the many signs in our lives. In a 2015 address, Pope Francis acknowledged, “We are free, through the gift of freedom that Jesus Christ gave us. But our task is to examine what is happening within us, to discern our feelings and our thoughts, and to analyze what is happening around us, to discern the signs of the times.” How can we do this? How do you strive to make sense of what is happening in your home? Your workplace? Your community? Your world?
“Our work is great; it is magnificent. If it is universal, it is because we are the missionaries of Mary who says to us: ‘Do Whatever He will tell you!’ Yes, we are all missionaries. To each of us the most Blessed Virgin has confided a mandate to work at the salvation of our [world].” (Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Letter to the Retreat Masters of 1839)
Let us be mindful of the many people in our lives who are in dire need of love, care, protection, and prayer.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer