Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59)
Some people think that when they do something for their own
good, they are acting selfishly. They
say that they must always act on behalf of others, never for themselves. Today’s gospel shows that such a frame of
reference is both wrong and right.
It is wrong because Jesus tells the crowds that they should
be as intelligent about working out their own salvation as they are in
forecasting the weather. As they know when it will be hot, they should know how
to do God’s will. The frame of reference
is correct in as much as humans work out their salvation by caring for
others. When, influenced by the Holy
Spirit, they fulfill family responsibilities, assist the needy, and treat all people
with respect, they merit salvation.
Jesus also tells his listeners that it is never too late to
begin the work of salvation. Even with a
judgment imminent, they can turn from carelessness to care for others. God does not weigh every negative entry in our
moral ledger against a positive one but accepts us as we have chosen to be in
the end. If we settle well with Him
before we die, He will not refuse us eternal life.
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