Reflection for October 27, Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:54-59

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59

(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.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who had a verbal tussle with his neighbor that eventually resulted in a physical combat. After both of them had been bloodied, they both hurled threats of a lawsuit. The neighbor who started the conflict had a sudden realization that he needed to apologize. So, he knocked on the gate of his neighbor, and when the gate was opened, he humbly apologized. His apology was immediately accepted.

Jesus, in our gospel, is advising us to exert effort to settle whatever conflict we have with anyone: neighbor, spouse, siblings, etc. Why? For the simple reason that it always pays to settle conflicts early. Otherwise, if we wouldn't settle it immediately, that conflict could morph into a much bigger and dangerous conflict.

Take, for example, a conflict between spouses that is left unsettled. Sooner or later, this conflict would result in something that is irreparable, leading to estrangement. Therefore, we have to immediately resolve any conflict we have with anyone by apologizing as soon as possible. Why? Because those who apologize are always rewarded with peace of mind. – Marino J. Dasmarinas