Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Signs Of The Times
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Introduction
St Paul describes the experience of converts. They realise that before their conversion, notwithstanding their goodwill, they were incapable of following their conscience or the Law of Moses. But now that they know Christ, they can win their struggles against the evil within them. We experience a similar struggle going on in us. We are torn beings, with the enemy within us, capable of the best and the worst. But on account of Christ, even the worst in us can also be turned into the best.
In its introduction, the Vatican II Constitution on the Church in the Modern World says: “The Church must continually examine the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the gospel. Thus she will be able to answer the questions that people are always asking about the meaning of this life and of the next and about the relation of this life and of the next and about the relation of one to the other, in a way adapted to each question.” By signs of the times we mean currents of thought and attitudes behind events, aspirations, and the like. Take the hippies, the Jesus movement, Pentecostalism, women’s lib, the hunger for liberation, the rebellion of many of the young against consumerism and hypocrisy. Can we discover points of contact and of openness to the values of the gospel?
Opening Prayer
when today’s world hungers
for justice, truth and spiritual values,
perhaps disguised and distorted
in a form hard to recognize,
open our eyes and give us
your Spirit of wisdom and discernment.
May we thus learn to understand this world,
to feel at home in it,
and to discover the stepping-stones
that could lead us all to you
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds:
“When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming’; and does.
And when the wind blows from the south, you say, ‘It will be hot’; and so it is.
You superficial people! You understand the signs of the earth and the sky, but you don’t understand the present times.
And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
When you go with your accuser before the court, try to settle the case on the way, so he does not drag you before the judge, and the judge hands you over to the jailer, and the jailer throws you into prison.
I tell you; you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.
Prayers of the Faithful
– Lord, may the Church of today speak to the people of today the gospel in the language of today, we pray:
– Lord, let the ministers of the Church be familiar with the needs and aspirations of today’s world and people, we pray:
– Lord, make us transform a world of injustice into a world of integrity, a cold and indifferent world into a warm world of love and mercy, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
these gifts speak of life and care,
of growth and sharing.
Let them also speak to our hearts
of the self-giving love of Jesus your Son,
and commit us to the growth of his kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you have called us again
through the body of your Son
to make the body of his Church more and more
the living sign of your presence
and of your action in this world.
Make us also receptive
of all the good there is in this world.
Help us to dialogue with our times
and with the people of today,
that this world may be yours
and you our God for ever.
Blessing
If we want to be people living in our times, we must be open-eyed to what is going on in the world around us. “No one is an island.” No one should live in a world apart. This attitude will open our eyes too to understand our faith better. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
24 October 2025
St Antony Mary Claret
Luke 12: 54-59
In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to learn from the signs of the times. The people of Palestine knew how to read the sky—clouds meant rain, winds from the south meant heat. But while they could read the weather, they failed to read the most important sign: that the Kingdom of God was already in their midst.
Discernment is a gift. It is not about rushing into decisions but learning to pause, to pray, and to seek the Holy Spirit’s light. Discernment helps us distinguish between what is urgent and what is essential, between what comes from God and what does not. Jesus warns us that life is too short to postpone reconciliation, too serious to ignore God’s call. “Settle matters quickly,” He says—not only with others but above all with God.
St Anthony Mary Claret lived this Gospel with intensity. A missionary bishop and founder, he carried a burning zeal for souls. His life was one long act of discernment, asking each day: “Lord, what do you want of me today?” He read the signs of his own times—poverty, injustice, ignorance of the faith—and responded with courage. He preached tirelessly, wrote books and pamphlets, founded religious institutes, and defended the dignity of the poor. He knew that every moment was urgent when it came to bringing Christ to others.
From him we learn three lessons. First, before deciding, pray. Let God’s Spirit guide your choices. Second, judge fairly—be honest with yourself and merciful with others. Third, settle what needs to be settled—don’t postpone reconciliation, forgiveness, or the conversion of your heart.
Jesus reminds us that time is short, and St Anthony Claret shows us how to use it well: discerning, acting, and living for God with passion. May his example inspire us to read the signs of our times, to embrace the urgency of the Gospel, and to make our peace with God while there is still time.
Apostolic Prayer of St. Anthony Mary Claret
O my God and Father, Grant that I may know You and make You known, that I love You and bring others to love You, that I serve You and inspire others to serve You, that I praise You and work that all Your creatures praise You. Grant, my Father, that all sinners be converted, that all the just persevere in grace, and that all of us reach eternal glory. Amen.
Discerning signs of the time is a commandment
In today's Gospel, Jesus rebukes the crowd for failing to discern the signs of the times. He urges them to recognise the present moment and reconcile before it is too late. This Gospel calls us to spiritual awareness and moral responsibility, particularly in our current context.
Pope Francis often speaks about the need for discernment in today’s world, challenging us to see beyond superficial distractions and understand the deeper movements of the Holy Spirit. In Laudato Si’, he warns of the environmental crisis as one of the "signs of the times," calling humanity to urgent action in caring for creation. This mirrors Jesus’ warning in the Gospel—to see and act before irreversible harm is done. Just as people can predict the weather, we must now read the signs of ecological degradation, social injustice, and global suffering, responding with faith and responsibility.
Contemporary developments, such as rising inequality, conflicts, and climate change, present signs that we cannot ignore. Pope Francis urges us to live the Gospel authentically, which means recognising the urgency of our time and working for peace, justice, and reconciliation. In his teachings, he emphasises the need for dialogue, solidarity, and caring for the poor, which aligns with Jesus’ call for reconciliation before judgement.
In our personal lives, this Gospel invites us to examine where we may be avoiding necessary changes or ignoring pressing issues, both spiritually and socially. Are we discerning the signs of our own times—whether in our communities, our relationships, or the global challenges we face? As followers of Christ, we must be open to conversion, acting with courage and compassion to build a world that reflects the values of the Gospel.