Daily Gospel Reflection

Join the Notre Dame family of faith. Receive God’s Word and a unique reflection in your inbox each day.

October 27, 2023

Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lk 12:54-59
Listen to the Audio Version

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

Fr. Vincenz Heereman, L.C. '23, Ph.D.
Share a Comment

In the land where Jesus lived, and that holds a special place in our prayers at this time, winds from the south still bring sweltering heat bellowed north from over the Arabian deserts. Clouds from the west, the Mediterranean, carry rains that bring life to scorched lands and thirsty beasts. A rare mercy! Even today, the people in Israel-Palestine are very much attuned to these rhythms of nature. How much more so Jesus’ listeners, who depended on them so completely for their survival.

The landscape of the soul is not very different. Some winds carry life, others, death. Jesus’ listeners knew how to interpret the movements of nature, a slight shift in the wind, a change in the shape and pace of the clouds—but many of them failed to recognize God’s saving presence in their midst.

What about us? We follow the news and the signs of this life. We know when to change careers, build a house, or sell a car. But do we know what brings life or death to our souls?

We may not like to hear this, but we are all on our way to appear before the divine magistrate, on our way to judgment! Our sins make us uncomfortable at the thought of divine justice, but how consoling a prospect for the oppressed and the abused.

As we make our way through life toward judgment and justice, God’s mercy is busy at work. Not a day goes by, but that God sends us the grace we need. At every moment, in every circumstance, God is at work in our lives, setting us free from the chains of death-bringing sin and making us grow in love and truth.

In your life today, can you feel the wind of grace? Do you know from where are coming the clouds of life and mercy?

Prayer

Holy Cross Novitiate

All-knowing God, we see all around us the signs of your will in our lives. At times it may be difficult for us to recognize for ourselves what those signs point us towards. Grant us the grace we need in order to know your will, the wisdom to understand it, and the strength to carry it out. May our efforts to know your will lead us not into pride and self-importance, but give us an ever greater love for you, who reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Frumentius

When St. Frumentius visited the famous St. Athanasius to ask him to send priests and bishops to Ethiopia, Athanasius told him to go himself, and ordained him on the spot.

Frumentius was born in Tyre (what is now Lebanon) and was sent with a friend to live with a philosopher to receive an education. Around the year 330, their teacher decided to travel the known world, and he took the two boys with him.

When their ship wrecked near modern-day Ethiopia, the native people attacked the travelers—all but the two boys were killed, including their teacher. The boys were captured and taken to the king of the region.

The king was impressed with their learning and commanded them to serve his court. The two served the royal family for years, and when the king died they were granted their freedom. The queen asked them to remain to assist in the management of the kingdom until her sons were old enough to reign, and they both decided to stay.

When her sons came of age, Frumentius and his friend were faced with a decision to leave. His friend returned to Tyre, but Frumentius felt called to spread the faith through Ethiopia. He went to the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, a center of power and learning in the Church, and asked the great St. Athanasius to send pastors. Athanasius immediately recognized that no one would be better suited to the job than Frumentius—he ordained the missionary and sent him instead.

Frumentius went back to Ethiopia and brought many to the faith by his preaching and miracles. Ten years after his return, Christianity was named the official state religion of the kingdom. Even the royal household was baptized—they are still honored as saints in the Ethiopian Church. Frumentius was known as “our father” and “father of peace.”

St. Matthew is said to have first evangelized Ethiopia, but Frumentius is known as the apostle to that nation because of his effectiveness in converting people to the faith. It is said that the early diocese of Louisiana observed the feast of St. Frumentius in the 1700s, possibly as an acknowledgment of the Africans enslaved there.

St. Frumentius, who survived shipwreck and evangelized a nation, pray for us!


Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Frumentius is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 4, 2024.