Navigating the signs of today

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

WITH the super rapid pace of developments these days, we really need to learn how to read the signs of the times so that we would not get confused and lost, like what St. Paul warned us once when he talked about helpless “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.” (Eph 4,14)

More than just learning how to read the signs of the times, we need to acquire the relevant skills and, of course, the proper spirit, so we would know how to navigate in our increasingly complex world.

We are reminded of this duty in that gospel episode where Christ reproached the crowds for only knowing how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, and yet did not know how to interpret the present time. (cfr. Lk 12,54-59)

What Christ wanted to teach them—and now, us—was for us to realize the importance of recognizing the signs of the times and being prepared for the coming judgment, settling as far as we can whatever issues and conflicts we can have with others so that we can be prepared spiritually for the inevitable judgment.

We need to be guarded against being carried away and swallowed by the allure and siren calls of the new developments. For this, we should feel the need for seeking guidance through prayer, considering the doctrine of our Christian faith so that we would know how to live faithfully and consistently in a rapidly changing world. It may also be a good idea to consult with spiritual mentors or guides.

We all should strive to be persons of sound judgment. It’s an ideal whose importance, relevance and urgency are increasing these days, given the complicating conditions we are getting into.

That’s actually an understatement. We know that to be a prudent man or a person of sound judgment is essential to us, considering our nature and dignity, plus the growing scope of the responsibilities we are acquiring nowadays.

Not only do we have to contend with the multiplying pressures and conditionings on our personal, family and professional life. Not only do we have to grapple with the confusing ramifications of our social, economic and political life, sorting them out as best that we could.

With escalating insistence, we need to learn how to integrate the material with the spiritual dimension of our life, the here and now with the eternal and supernatural destiny meant for us.

We have to know how to live by faith, hope and charity, the essence of our supernatural life with God, in the middle of our daily activities and concerns, and in the pursuit of our temporal affairs, be it in business, politics, education, culture, sports, etc.

This necessity demands of us to be nothing less than persons of sound judgment. We have to overcome our tendency to be guided mainly by instincts, emotions, moods, fashions, and some sophisticated philosophies and ideologies which, while offering many good elements, actually lead us away from our principal and ultimate end.

Let’s realize that we can only read the signs of the times properly when we have a vibrant interior or spiritual life, a vital link not only with theories and principles, but with God himself.

This is how wisdom is acquired, nourished and kept. This is also how we can counsel others properly, seconding the will and ways of God in everything that happens in our life. This is how we can safely navigate the signs of today!

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com