Breaking the Word

34^th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 25^th November 2022 — Gospel:  Lk 21,29-33

Being alert to the Season

Through the parable of the fig tree, an apt picture of the nation of Israel, Jesus links the kingdom of God with himself and inaugurates the new age. The parable heralds the coming of the Son of Man, calling the listener to have eyes to see the signs, and the good sense to be ready. This agricultural analogy serves as an observation and a warning. Jesus tells us to observe the many signs that indicate the arrival, the presence, and the power of the kingdom of God. These signs show the nearness of our redemption, and our Redeemer. He did not want his disciples to be ignorant of the approach of his return, as with unbelievers. The farmer recognizes the season by noting those evidence of its summer arrival. Likewise, the children of the kingdom should be alert to and aware of the “season” of Jesus’ return.

34^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 24^th November 2022 — Gospel: Lk 21,20-28

Hold Your Heads High

Today’s gospel has two parts: the first speaks about the prophecy of the destruction of the Holy City and the second predicts the cosmological signs which announce the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the world. When Luke wrote his gospel around the year 75 CE, the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem already. The evangelist than illustrates it as it had happened. However, the Parousia, the Second Coming of the Lord, had not taken place. Luke describes this in profoundly prophetic language. Between the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world, the Christians are told to wait; while they wait, they may suffer persecutions. When this happens the disciples are asked to hold their heads high, because their salvation has indeed come. The final proof and sign of redemption will be Jesus’ coming in glory. Until then, we must live in constant anticipation, as if every moment were as important as our last moment of life in this world.