Wrong Again

Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Rom 7:18-25a; Ps 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94; Lk 12:54-59
Notes: Jesus asked: “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Here are the two parts:

1. You have the capacity to judge rightly.
2. You are wrong and unless you settle you will go to jail. (1 and 2 below)
   • 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.
   • 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.

We are often simply wrong, again.

In fact, even when we are right we are wrong headed about it.
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! (Ecc 1:1).

Saint Paul describes the conflict within us between the flesh and will. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. This is a broad category indeed (not limited to sexual urges as some harp on constantly). It’s a way of living.

Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I like Paul. He’s got it right.
Keep going and keep trying to do right.

Eventually the spirit of G-d will help you transcend these inferior thoughts and ways with spiritual thoughts and ways. But, let’s admit it anyway, I was wrong…. again.

IMHO, there are too many ‘right’ people. There is the oxymoron, I’m wrong.

Peace to Israel.
Peace to Palestine.
Expel evil.

First Reading
Brothers and sisters: I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial
Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds, 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.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry