Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
As the Lord walked from city to town to village and into the countryside, he certainly encountered every kind of weather: pleasant and unpleasant, depressing and invigorating, I know little about the climate of ancient Israel, but I know that I have spent much of my life beneath the shelter of a roof, and within a climate-controlled enclosure of four walls. Nor were my floors of dirt. I live a sheltered life. So I might not appreciate the change of seasons nor the buds bursting open with as much pleasure as the peripatetic preacher. I am glad to see the approach of summer, but the coming of autumn and winter doesn't trouble me. In fact, from within the comfort of an automobile, I enjoy the four seasons.
Despite my disability, I am glad to hear these familiar words about the fig tree again; they remind me that Advent is upon us, and I frankly prefer Advent to Christmas. "The Kingdom of God is near."
Daniel the Prophet, as we hear in the first reading, "...desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:24) In Advent, we join the company of prophets and kings who...
"died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth."
Everyone who awaits the Second Coming of Christ soon discovers they are strangers and aliens on the earth. When divorce, abortion, and suicide become socially acceptable the world becomes strange and we're unwelcome in our native land.
Hopefully, now that Thanksgiving has passed, we are prepared to enter Advent with a spirit of penance and eager welcome. We still need salvation and the cacophonous spectacle of what-they-call-Christmas will arouse in our hearts a desperate appeal for the appearance of the Savior.
Come Lord Jesus!
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.