First Reading: Rm 7:18-25a; Psalm: 119. R. v. 65b; Gospel: Lk 12 54-59

LIVING THE FAITH AMIDST THE SIGNS OF TIME

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“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)

This passage of the scriptures tells us that it hurts God when we fail to discern the signs of time and do the needful? What are the signs of our present time? When we take a look at our society, a lot of depravities have been normalised. Amongst other things, practices such as same sex marriage, human-animal marriage, bestiality, consanguine union, and abortion have been normalised. Christian Churches are replete with false prophets, fake miracles, false testimonies, diabolic healers, deceptive preachers and sexual scandals. Crimes like domestic violence, incest, rape, homicide, and murder-suicide are prevalent in families today. A lot of evils have become the new normal.   

We need to discern these signs and act accordingly because one of the tricks of the Devil is the use of lies and manipulation to make evil practices appear right. The Devil has a way of deceiving us to normalise unacceptable standards and to adopt it as a way of life. There is no better way to discern what is right and just if not through the scriptures. Discerning the signs of time through the lens of the scriptures affords us the insight and opportunity to reject the lies of the Devil which is capable of destroying us.

Let us stop following blindly the conventional ethics and opinions of the society. Before we accept or promote any practice, we can discern through the light of the gospel to know if God approves of it or not. The signs of the present time are a test to our faith. We must remain steadfast and not succumb to this test. We must be on guard because the Devil will never stop in his effort to deceiving us into doing his wish or accepting what the society sees right. If we can predict nature relatively; it will be a disaster if we cannot decipher correctly what God demands from us as his true children.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us to always discern correctly your will for us. Amen.