Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: November 15, 200933rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/November/33rdB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Dan 12:1-3Ps 16:5, 8-11Heb 10:11-14, 18Mark 13:24-32http://www.usccb.org/nab/111509.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_11_15.mp3
In next Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of his Second Coming. And here he hasn't even finished his first coming! How confusing it must have been to the disciples.
They grew even more confused after Jesus died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven but delayed coming back. They remembered him saying that "this generation" will not pass away until all these Second Coming events have taken place, yet time passed, the apostles began to die off, and Jesus still had not re-appeared in the clouds. The misery of living in this world continued.
Do you have an unending problem? Where's Jesus? Notice what he said: "When you see these things happening, know that I am near, at the gates." He wasn't pinning down a date. He wasn't giving the disciples – or us – a definitive clue about the timing of his Second Coming, because he had no clue! ("Of that day or hour, no one knows, not the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.") So what was he trying to convey?
His nearness!
For the past 2000 years, we have all been part of "this generation" that will not pass away before his Second Coming. It's the generation of Christian humanity, the generation of the Church as the Body of Christ on Earth, the generation of children who have been adopted by God the Father through the sacrifice and resurrection of God the Son.
The final era of God's salvation plan began on the first Easter Sunday. The "Last Days" began then and will continue until the Second Coming of Christ. It is the age of the Holy Spirit, i.e., the age after Christ's earthly ministry and his ascension back to heaven but when his Spirit is available to us all.
The lesson of the fig tree is that we can discern when summer is near. In other words, we can discern – in good times and in bad – that Jesus is near to us, not in flesh (except at Mass in the Eucharist) but in his Holy Spirit.
Jesus is right now at "the gate" of your next move, your next step on the journey to heaven. A gate is meant to be opened so that we can pass through it. Jesus is opening the gate right now for you – the gate of holiness, the gate of love. Step through it to live in the fullness of the life he has planned for you here on earth.
Questions for Personal Reflection:What problems are you waiting to be rescued from? Is Jesus really taking too long, or is there a bigger, better plan he's fulfilling on your behalf? What do you need to do to become more aware of his nearness, his comfort, his joy and peace to help you endure the long wait?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:What are the signs that the Church gives us that help us discern the nearness of Christ? What other "fig trees" has Jesus given to you that increase your hope and patience and endurance?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
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