Daily Reflection – Nov 25, 2016

Friday 25 November 2016

First Reading: Apocalypse 20:1-4, 11-21:2
Responsorial Psalm:
Here God lives among his people
Psalm 83(84):3-6, 8
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:29-33

Today’s Saint: St Catherine of Alexandria

Gospel Reading:

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.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”

Reflection:

Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel passage teaches doctrine which Jesus elsewhere sums up as “reading the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:2-3 and 24:3-31). In fact, Matthew’s chapter 24 deals entirely with this teaching. In convoking Vatican Council II, Pope John XXIII used this phrase as one of the motivations for calling the Council. As a consequence the phrase was instrumental in suggesting a renewal of theological method, a new way of doing theology.

We must, of course, continue to read the Bible for inspiration, since it is the word of God, but Jesus taught us to look at the world, society, humanity. The Alleluia verse today, in different words repeats the call: “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.”

When St Ignatius had his great spiritual experience in which he came to a greater understanding of the Trinity, he was not in a Church; he was sitting on a river bank looking down at the river itself. This is a great symbol. To deepen our understanding of our faith, we must raise our eyes up to heaven and at the same time look down at the world.

“Holy Spirit, give us the wisdom to be able to read the signs of the times and the face of the world and so be more attentive to Your enlightenment.”