Reading the Signs of The Times
Set the Word on Fire!
October 22, 2020
Mahal Mo ang Mahal ng Mahal Mo
October 25, 2020PITIK-BULAG: Reading the Signs of The Times
We are poor in reading the signs of our times. We don’t know how to read between the lines. We are desperately seeking answers and understanding of the things happening in our midst. God is always telling something in our daily experiences, yet we are not good at unlocking the meanings hidden in the signs of the times.
The key to understanding is REFLECTION AND DISCERNMENT. But we need to pause and be silent. Unfortunately, we are always in a rush and constantly moving. We don’t know how to slow down to stop and reflect on our daily experiences. We use more of our minds and less of our hearts in seeing things. We rush everything including our decisions. We don’t reflect and discern before making decisions. We are not good at relishing things.
In the end, we suffer the consequence of our RUSHING AND RUNNING ALWAYS, we always fail to read the signs of times.
SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE. According to Saint Augustine, NATURE OR CREATION is the first book that God has written. Many of us are asking for signs of God’s intervention and presence in our lives. Yet, we are not aware that everything is God’s manifestation of His enduring presence. The air we breathe, the morning birds and roosters, the cool breeze, the fragrance of the flowers, or the aroma of breakfast food are signs of God’s love. Yet, we don’t appreciate these mundane things.
The graces of God are bountiful and exploding in ordinary things. And not only in extra-ordinary things. Most of the time, we missed the daily beautiful blessings of God because we seek bigger blessings. We desire something special, something that will excite our senses but not our hearts. Ordinary things are not exciting anymore. Then we start to become blind to God’s daily signs coming from Mother Nature.
The Holy Scripture is the second book of God. Like Mother Nature, we tend to ignore the Word of God as the primary source of guidance and understanding of the mystery of life. We seek signs in lesser or useless things. We allow ourselves to be guided by horoscopes, fortune tellers, misguided friends, or just by simply following our emotions or guts. Here we commit lots of mistakes, especially in following our emotions.
How do we read the signs of the times? How can we know what God wants us to know? Here are some points for consideration:
1. Develop your SPIRITUAL LIFE. Never set aside your prayer when you are busy. Prioritize prayer. Have at least 1 hour prayer period every day.
2. Develop the skill of LISTENING TO SILENCE. God speaks a lot in silence. Silence brings us deeper to the core of our hearts where God’s voice is clearer.
3. Develop the skills of DISCERNMENT. Learn the discernment of spirits of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Be aware of the presence of the good spirit and the bad spirit, and their influences in our decision making.
4. Develop the habit of PONDERING THE SCRIPTURES. Don’t just read the Word of God, try to ponder and relish it.
5. Develop different METHODS OF PRAYER: Aside from oral prayers, learn the art of meditation and contemplation.
6. Develop the skill of SLOWING DOWN and pausing during your busy hours. Relish the moment. Count blessings. Don’t allow anxieties and fear to dominate your mind and heart.
7. Develop a deeply rooted RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, especially with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Consoler, Healer, and Guide.
Signs are everywhere. But we need a humble heart and a great desire to see God’s footprint in all things.
– Fr. Willy M. Samson, SJ
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October 23, 2020 – Friday
Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 54-59
