Signs to Change Direction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess our need to change direction in some of our behaviour that leads us away from living the full life Jesus calls us to embrace.

Sign of a Change in Direction

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts us to address Sin and Death.

* [7:13–25] Far from improving the sinner, law encourages sin to expose itself in transgressions or violations of specific commandments (see Rom 1:24; 5:20). Thus persons who do not experience the justifying grace of God, and Christians who revert to dependence on law as the criterion for their relationship with God, will recognize a rift between their reasoned desire for the goodness of the law and their actual performance that is contrary to the law. Unable to free themselves from the slavery of sin and the power of death, they can only be rescued from defeat in the conflict by the power of God’s grace working through Jesus Christ.

* [7:23] As in Rom 3:27 Paul plays on the term law, which in Greek can connote custom, system, or principle. (Romans, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 expresses a special need for the guidance of God’s teaching.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. 

* [119:19] A sojourner in the land: like someone without the legal protection of a native inhabitant, the psalmist has a special need for the guidance of God’s teaching.

* [119:48] I lift up my hands to your commandments: to lift up the hands was an ancient gesture of reverence to God. Here the picture is applied to God’s law.

* [119:89–91] God’s word creates the world, which manifests that word by its permanence and reliability. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses the Signs of the Times to urge Settlement with an Opponent.

* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that, in today’s gospel, our Lord reminds us that using our minds is not optional! We need to study history and other forms of human wisdom to function prudently. Even our faith is rooted in the veracity of others’ experiences in following the Living God. We cannot rely solely on our own capacities for observation and reason, but we are guided by others and the lessons they can teach.

This requires humility and sober assessment, realizing that we may not be as strong or virtuous as we think. When we have conflicts with others, it is good to be reminded that we are also sinners in need of mercy and that such mercy is dispensed with the same measure we mete out. Let us live generously!

Lord, help us to seek you always. Your loving kindness provides the balm for our weary souls, which we can find in the sacraments. Teach to follow you with humility and gratitude, recognizing the generous gifts that you dispense to us. Comfort us by knowing you are leading us in this great journey, sometimes carrying us, and never forgetting us. Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).

"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 7:18-25 notes that Saints and scholars throughout the ages have called Romans a theological masterpiece—and they have studied it and argued over it for just as long! But as dense as it can appear at times, at its heart it is nothing but good, good news. So today, let’s join Paul in crying out with joy: “Thanks be to God!”

Thanks be to God that while “the wages of sin is death,” you offer something far greater than “wages”: your “gift” of “eternal life” (Romans 6:23). You have freely given me something greater than what I could earn on my own: eternal, unending, joy-filled life in your presence! Together with the angels and saints, I’ll finally see you as you are—and I’ll become like you (1 John 3:2). All my tears will be wiped away, all my fears removed, all my deepest desires fulfilled. What else can I say but . . .

“Thanks be to you, O Lord, for your great love for me!” (Meditation on Romans 7:18-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Romans, Paul confesses his weakness, his concupiscence. He knows the right but is tempted to do the wrong thing. Temptation is not sin. We need to build our spiritual muscles to say “No”. Paul offers “Thanks be to God” to Jesus who can deliver our body. We are weak and we are called away all day long. We are weak and we need the strength offered by God. Our weakness though, helps us unite with Christ, our help. In the Gospel, Jesus commends His listeners for knowing signs of weather even as they do not know spiritual signs. We need to settle the dispute. Now is the time to change and convert. Today is the day. Friar Jude notes the last verse “Not be released” sometimes is misapplied to purgatory as a place to repay the damage but it is a purification opportunity not a punishment.

Fr. Mike Schmitz points out how everything God has made is good, but we can use those things for evil ends. We also reach the conclusion of 1 Maccabees today. The readings are 1 Maccabees 16, Sirach 38-39, and Proverbs 23:29-35.

Brian McLaren reflects on the moral responsibility we carry toward our traditions, inviting us to discern if they are life-giving, death-dealing, or somewhere in between. McLaren describes the healing power of discovering contemplative Christianity.

Every day, more and more of us find ourselves unable to perpetuate the religious traditions in which we were raised. We have experienced them as taking more than they give, or, in some cases, we fear they do more harm than good. We have made a great spiritual migration: We have left, often with tears, beloved inherited traditions we considered death-dealing and stubbornly resistant to change. If we hadn’t found (or been found by) the tradition of engaged contemplative Christianity, many of us couldn’t consider ourselves Christians anymore. We would find ourselves spiritually homeless.  

As we rejoice in this growing, life-giving, living tradition, we face important questions: How will we help our tradition to grow, mature, and expand its influence for good? How will we enrich and improve the tradition as it stands? How can we discern its present weaknesses, not in order to criticize and condemn the tradition, but in order to heal, strengthen, and energize it for greater fruitfulness in the future? What might the growing edges of our tradition be? (McLaren, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the need to assess our path and seek guidance on our “course correction” to lead the Full Life offered by Christ.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?54 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-responsibility-for-our-tradition/ 

Meditation on Romans 7:18-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/24/1413766/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-24-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Romans, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/7?18 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Humility and Signs

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to persevere, stoically and humbly, in our journey of faith even as we experience the paradox of signs that the Spirit is our guide.

Humility and Perseverance 

The reading from the Letter of James teaches about Faith and Wisdom, Poverty and Riches.

* [1:3–8] The sequence of testing, perseverance, and being perfect and complete indicates the manner of attaining spiritual maturity and full preparedness for the coming of Christ (Jas 5:7–12; cf. 1 Pt 1:6–7; Rom 5:3–5). These steps require wisdom (Jas 1:5).

* [1:5] Wisdom: a gift that God readily grants to all who ask in faith and that sustains the Christian in times of trial. It is a kind of knowledge or understanding not accessible to the unbeliever or those who doubt, which gives the recipient an understanding of the real importance of events. In this way a Christian can deal with adversity with great calm and hope (cf. 1 Cor 2:6–12).

* [1:9–11] Throughout his letter (see Jas 2:5; 4:10, 13–16; 5:1–6), the author reaffirms the teaching of Jesus that worldly prosperity is not necessarily a sign of God’s favor but can even be a hindrance to proper humility before God (cf. Lk 6:20–25; 12:16–21; 16:19–31). (James, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises the Glories of God’s Law.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Demand for a Sign.

* [8:11–12] The objection of the Pharisees that Jesus’ miracles are unsatisfactory for proving the arrival of God’s kingdom is comparable to the request of the crowd for a sign in Jn 6:30–31. Jesus’ response shows that a sign originating in human demand will not be provided; cf. Nm 14:11, 22. (Mark, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock asks which of us has never asked God for a sign? Have we opened the Bible at random hoping to find a word or a phrase as a sign to help us? Have we even asked God directly for a sign to guide us in an important decision or outcome or reassurance?

By seeking a sign we want to avoid the necessary journey of death and rebirth, of resurrection, of transformation.  I wonder if one sign would be enough to cement perfect faith? The desire for one sign will lead to another and another, deep faith never satisfied. We might think that a sign would eliminate doubt and offer proof, but in my mind faith always leaves room for doubt or it wouldn’t be faith.

An old song came to my mind as I reflected on the Gospel: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign by Five Man Electrical Band. Truly there are signs everywhere if we have eyes to see. The resurrection of Springtime, the  kindness of strangers, the cry of a newborn. Name your own. Psalm 78 agrees: What they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved. (Braddock, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Why does this generation seek a sign,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"But for what sign from heaven were they asking? Maybe that he should hold back the sun, or curb the moon, or bring down thunderbolts, or change the direction of the wind, or something like that?... In Pharaoh's time there was an enemy from whom deliverance was needed (Exodus 3-15). But for one who comes among friends, there should be no need of such signs." (excerpt from GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 53.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on James 1:1-11 comments that the Lord also can use our suffering to help us grow in holiness. St. James says that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance . . . so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:3-4). Suffering provides many opportunities to persevere in turning to the Lord and asking for his help. As we spend time with him, he works in us, giving us strength and grace and building up our trust in him.

On the cross, Jesus conquered sin and death. As you take up your crosses and walk with him, he will lead you to the resurrection. Your hardships don’t have to ruin your joy; they can be the path to ultimate unending joy with God. A paradox? Yes. But one you can put your faith in every time you face a trial.

“Jesus, please rescue me from this trial. But as long as it is mine to bear, I unite it to your cross. I trust that you will use it for my ultimate good.” (Meditation on James 1:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from James’s letter, likely written by a cousin of Jesus, offers very practical Stoic teaching on suffering and perseverance. James' letter resonates with the Jewish concept of storming the heavens filled with faith and trust. Friar Jude reminds us that Mark presents our need to take “a leap of faith” in the arms of a loving God, rather than seek a sign for absolute truth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers the image of fire in the Scriptures.

In one chapter, Ezekiel repeats the word restore. God says to the people, “I will restore them … I will restore them … I will restore you” (see Ezekiel 16:53–56, Jerusalem Bible). The prophet has spent chapters scolding them for their unfaithfulness to their covenant with God, and then he changes course. Ezekiel says that God’s love, forgiveness, and commitment to restorative justice are so complete that Israel’s conscience will awaken. They will understand what they have done and be reduced to silence and confusion (see Ezekiel 16:63). That’s what we Catholics understood as purgatory. Here’s an example: Have you ever spoken ill of somebody, actively disliked somebody, or put someone down in the presence of others? Then they approach you, and it turns out they’re not only nice, but they’re really nice. They wish you well. That feeling is called remorse; we used to call it compunction. We are reduced to silence and confusion. Let’s be honest, grace is always a humiliation for the ego.

Of course, we clergy overplayed the notion of purgatory, making it some kind of retributive justice instead of restorative love. We couldn’t deny the mercy of God, and we knew that the love of God was going to win, but we still made it necessary to burn there for some number of years. We had a deeper intuition of love’s flame, but we settled instead for the literal fire. [1] (Rohr, 2024)

We ponder our confusion over signs as our experience testifies to them and our development of faith seeks to assure us that God is present in all the events of our journey.

References

Braddock, S. (2024, February 12). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021224.html 

James, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/1?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/8? 

Meditation on James 1:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/12/893717/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Rohr, R. (2024, February 12). A Single Flame — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-single-flame/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb12