Signs of the times

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.”

REFLECTION WHY DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO INTERPRET THE PRESENT TIME? Jesus rebukes the crowd for failing to understand the seriousness of His message. The idea of judgment is implied by the images of the “cloud rising in the west” and the wind “blowing from the south.” It serves as a background to emphasize the importance of the signs of the times. The happenings in nature serve as signs for the people to make a decision so that they will not appear like hypocrites. Their inability to interpret the present time is caused by their lack of faith in Jesus. Those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the one sent by God are blind to God’s gift of salvation. God still speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures, the sacraments, people around us, and events in history and nature.

For us to recognize God’s voice, we need a listening heart and a lively faith.