Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

   Luke 12:8–12

Meditatio

“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

As we near the end of the liturgical year, the readings of the liturgy become more serious, even foreboding. Most of us will probably never be brought before rulers or authorities in the way the Gospel describes. But if we think about it, our Christian convictions are on trial every day of our lives. Small personal struggles, known only to ourselves, test our love and keep us praying for the promised grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.

   Besides that, we are asked to take part in the battles of our own day, to proclaim the truth of the Gospel even in the face of what society considers “politically correct.” Judeo-Christian values are constantly challenged; unjust laws exist in our own nation. We must allow ourselves to be the voice of the living word. Sometimes we may be called to actually use our physical voice, but even if our words are ignored, our example is a silent word. As the proverb says, “Actions speak louder than words.”

   Crucial life and death struggles are going on all over the globe. They may take place far away, but they are still very real. The Church still has martyrs who are undergoing persecution in many countries. The odds seem stacked against us, but we must heed the living word in today’s Gospel. Every age has its own struggles, but God always defends us if we let the Holy Spirit lead us. We look beyond the visible scene with the eyes of faith, for we know that the war has already been won on Calvary. Confidence in our Lord’s love is the key to true wisdom. The victory will always be Jesus Christ’s.

Oratio

   O Lord, be my light in the darkness of this world. Guide my steps with your word and fill my mind with your truth. Enlarge my heart with your love and grant me the courage to witness to you in every situation. Use me to bring your love to others. I accept that I may not always understand how you are using me, but I trust that one day, in this life or the next, you will reveal it to me. I only know that by simply living my daily life according to your word, you will use me. Keep my eyes fixed on you. Increase my faith. From eternity to eternity, you are God.

Contemplatio

   I am yours, Lord. May my life speak of you.

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ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)