Reflection for Friday,  34th Week of Ordinary Time 

By 

Today's WORD of GOD 

 Luke 21: 29 - 33 

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.  When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 

 Today's Reflection 

Something New & Glorious

The Apocalyptic Book of Revelation was Written for Christians who were Dumbfounded by Persecution under the Roman Empire & the CHURCH Felt Hounded on All Sides. 

The Inspired Text Foretold the Collapse of the Tyrannical Empire, Leading to a Period of Peace & Harmony. After that will Come the 2nd Appearance of CHRIST, the New Heavens & the New Earth, the New Holy City Jerusalem, Coming Down Out of Heaven from GOD.

Today’s Gospel Offers a much Plainer Image for Something New about to Happen. From the Example of the Budding Fig Tree We Know that Summer is Near. So “when U See All the Things Happening, Know that the Reign of GOD is Near.” 

Both Readings Offer Signs whose Meaning is Not Immediately Clear, & We Ask the LORD to Show what These Signs Mean for Us, Here & Now.

The Fig Tree is in Full Bloom & the Harvest is Near, yet It may Not Seem Obvious at all to Us. We have to Live in the Real World of Today. How shall We make Sense of the Apocalyptic Prophecies? Maybe by Praying to Know the Message Beneath the Surface of Those Texts. 

As Part of the WORD of GOD, They Anticipate Future, when Heaven & Earth will be Made New. Wonderfully, Our World will be Transformed into the City of GOD, like a Lovely Bride Going to Meet Her Husband.

In the Midst of Flux Something Abides

We Live in a World of Flux, of Rapid & Bewildering Change, Changes in Society, Changes in the CHURCH, Miracles & Menaces of Digital Wizardy. Many People Find Change Disconcerting & Unsettling. In the Midst of such Challenging Change We Need Some Kind of Spiritual Anchor, Some Solid Truths that can be Trusted. We Find Change Easier to Manage if at least Some Things Remain the Same.

JESUS Told Us to Expect Change, Not just Gradual Change as in the Seasons of the Year, but Change on a Cosmic Scale, Hugely Significant Change. 

HE Talks of Heaven & Earth Passing Away, the Most Radical Change of All. Then HE Promises that Something will Never Change. “MY Words will Never Pass Away.” Throughout All of Life the WORD of the LORD Remains a Constant, because GOD is Faithful. 


Good Morning

May God bless your day with His abiding presence and fill your heart with His manifold blessings

Have an awesome Friday.