Friday of 34rd Week, odd numbered year
“Jesus told them this parable :’Look at the fig tree and indeed at every tree. As soon as you see them budding, you can see that for yourselves tht summer is now near.”
The image of the fig tree showing its buds is a serene one, bringing to us the peaceful joy of the triumph of the Life of Our Beloved Risen Lord Jesus. At the heart of the description of ’signs’ that will cause panic to nations, Jesus announced :
’So you shall the Son of man come in a cloud with power and great glory.’
It is the rising sun,and the star above that will come and visit us, chasing away the darkness of our night, warming up our hearts. We can be reassured, each person can prepare themselves for the Coming of of Jesus’ hour. To work at our conversion,there is no use scrutinising the prophecies of the end of time throbbing out in today’s world today, for it comes for the whole of humanity. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of discernement for our intelligence to be enlightened in the combat going on in the world.We become aware that we can only do God’s work with the grace of God.
Origen said “’Drink water from the springs and fom your wells and may the spring be truely yours.’ Try it, you who are listening to me, to have a well belonging to you and a spring belonging to you ; in this way, when you shall take the book of scriptures,you will manage to discover also what the interpretation is , being your own master. Yes, according to what you have learned in Church, try to drink, you too at the source of your spirit..for if you have received in you the Word of God, if you have received the living water from Jesus, and if you have received it in faith, it will become in you ’a living source of eternal life.’”
“So with you when you see these things happening : know that the kingdom of God is near.”
We make the most of the time left for us in order to be converted, since ’the long patience of the Lord is our salvation.’ At the time of judgement, may our names be ’written in the book of life.’ This is what we believe, that one day we
shall see ’ a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth will have disappeared, and the sea will no longer exist. And we shall see the Holy City, Heavenly Jerusalem, come down from heaven from beside God, all ready like a fiancée adorned with jewels for her bridegroom.’
Daniel, having shown great discord, made the prophesy about about the vision of a harmonious elderly man! In the middle of the vision :the Son of man! Jesus came to bring gentleness and tenderness into our human relationships.
The fig tree in the vineyard is the Word of God! When it flowers, it announces spring time which is imminent. This is the Word of God working in God’s people. These tender branches, these flowers that begin to open up are the sign of all these good actions, these thoughts, these words that spring forth from a good heart. We can build a new world : the world of Love. ’I looked, and I saw with the approaching clouds on the clouds of Heaven someone like a Son of man.’
It is the human face that is the most genuine place where we find the Presence of God.
“In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away everything will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
There can be left no room for doubt in Jesus’ response-
’Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’
The promise concerns our humanity will be accomplished at the right time for the one who knows how to wait in faith and to pereserver in hope.
’The Lord won’t be long in bringing about his promise,whereas some are claiming he is late in coming’, confirms Saint Peter ’ but he shows his patience towards you, not wanting anyone to perish, but desiring the conversion of all.’
The Word is accomplished we are witnesses of the freeing action that is also a healing one in our lives.