Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The Gospel reading for this Sunday seems appropriate for this time of year. With the changing of the clock one hour back last Sunday, it gets darker much earlier than a few months ago.
Jesus talks of darkness too. He said, “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
But Jesus also turned this gloomy prediction on its head to be something of good news for us. How? He said, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.”
So, just when we begin to think that everything is coming to an end, Jesus promises his return for the great new beginning that will last forever. Just as it now gets darker one hour earlier, it also gets lighter one hour earlier.
Jesus said it this way, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Jesus, the Word who created Heaven and Earth, will be the Word that recreates us anew in the resurrection from the dead. As the darkness comes, light will overtake it.
When all seems lost, Jesus is near. When the waters rise up and the winds blow, and the ship seems to be sinking — Jesus comes to put all in order once again.
As Jesus said to us more than once, “Do not be afraid.”
Have a blessed week everyone.