People who live close to nature can tell ahead of time what the weather will be even without the use of instruments that weather bureaus use today.

The Jews, Jesus says, are good at this. Interpreting the signs that nature shows, the Jews prepare for a sunny or a rainy day, a hot or cold night. However, they are less adept at reading the signs of the times. Not only are they unable to recognize the prophets whom God sends them, they are equally blind to the fact that he now sends his Son to call them to repentance.

They pretend not to understand God’s call in order that they may keep away from making a decision about their salvation. They do not wish to be converted and are determined to pursue their sinful ways. Judgment is “on the way,” and there is no time for dillydallying, for indifference, and inactivity.

We must act NOW, while there is still time to reform and change our unsettled situations in life. That is why we have to reconcile with our opponents and be at peace with them, and thus be ready to face the Lord, the righteous Judge.

FIRST READING • Rom 7:18-25a

Brothers and sisters: I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM • Ps 119 “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 immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is.

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? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.