Reading the signs of the times

In the gospel today (Luke 12:54-59) Jesus uses the example of the people's ability to tell the weather by looking at the clouds and judging the wind. Here in Aotearoa this Labour Day weekend we only have to look out the window to see the rain and the effects of the gale force winds to know what the weather is like. Jesus is questioning the crowds by saying that if you can interpret the signs of the weather, why can't you judge the way you should act by studying the reality and the needs of life that are going on around you. The Second Vatican Council used the same language in the document, ''The Church in the Modern World'' when it says, ''to carry out it's task, the Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the gospel so that she can respond to the perenial questions which people ask about this present life and the life to come and about the relationship of the one to the other.'' (no. 4). Unfortunately we don't have to look far to see that the world is suffering from divisioins, wars and violence of all kinds. Refugees who have arrived here to escape the wars and persecutions are so happy to be living in peace but only yesterday we heard of a woman who was stabbed to death on a public bus. St Paul's words in the first reading give us a response to such situations of violence. He is writing from prison and he implores the Ephesians to lead a life worthy of their vocation. ''Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience, preserving the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.'' If all good people throughout the world lived in that way surely it would influence more world leaders to work for peace in those countries where so many people are being murdered every day. Dear Lord, come to dry the eyes of those who are mourning so that they will finally be comforted.