11/25/2011 – Homily for Friday of 34rd week of Ordinary Time – Luke 21:29-33 - Reflection on the Gospel

         Jesus talked a lot to his disciples about the signs of the times.  Today, he talks about how we human beings can tell what is happening in the changing of the seasons by the signs we see in nature, from the way we can tell that summer is near from the buds that form on the fig tree.  I know that there are a lot of farmers here in our parishes that look to the signs in weather and in the changing of the seasons to help them in deciding as to what and when to plant and to harvest. 

         Many of Jesus’ followers had a hard time reading the signs of the times.  In fact, those in the early years after his death and resurrection were sure that the end times would come in their own lifetime.  Yet, here we are, about 2,000 years later, and we still are awaiting the end times.  And the documents of the Second Vatican Council also tell us to read the signs of the times in the way we live out our faith and in the way we proclaim God’s kingdom in our lives. 

We are faced with a lot of changes in our Church in a very short time as well.  We will receive the new Roman missal this weekend, and on Saturday we say goodbye to our current liturgical year with the beginning of Advent and the new liturgical year on Sunday.  With the Holy Spirit leading us and guiding us, may we live out the faith with the signs of the times that God is communicating to us.