13 October 2017
Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
There is no way around the words of the prophet Joel. In a way we have been prepared for this message all week, from the Sunday Gospel’s words concerning the wicked tenants, to the preaching of Jonah, to the words of Malachi. When we fall into sin, into lack of charity, into a disregard for the justice which our Lord and our neighbor require, then we must bear the fruit of repentance. We must turn away from those deeds which cut into the relationship which we hope to have the Lord. If not, then the rotten fruit of sin is its own punishment. The Psalmist sees this quite clearly. “The nations are sunk in the pit they have made; in the snare they set, their foot is caught.” (Psalm 9:16)
In contrast, Christ gives us hope that repentance itself will render good fruit. If we turn away from the divided house of sin, if we determine not to be scattered, then we have the opportunity to gather with Him. “But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Lk 11:20) Let us have Christ enthroned in our hearts as King, so that there may be no place for injustice in our hearts.