The gospel for Friday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time is taken from Luke 12:54, 59th verse. Jesus said to the crowds, when you see a cloud rising in the west, you say immediately that it’s going to rain. And so it does. And when you notice the wind is blowing from the south, you say it’s 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, the judge will hand you over to the constable, and the constable will throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. Jesus giving some very important advice to the crowds about conflict and division between us.

He’s saying that you have a choice. You can turn it over to the law, which is a binary world of right and wrong, or you could open yourselves in this conflict to the kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of understanding and patience and compassion. By far one brings about unity, the other can only divide. Take a moment to reflect upon these images, and I will end with a closing prayer. The closing prayer. Father, there’s a thing in each of us that can want revenge or want to punish those that have harmed us.

But your kingdom is calling us to something radically different. Keep us from our judgmental righteousness and open us to the beauty of your forgiveness and your mercy. And we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.