Reflection on the Readings

Like a microcosm of the end time described in today’s gospel, we all have regular experiences of dark days filled with the tribulation of piled up deadlines at the office, unrelenting household chores, family responsibilities, financial worries, psychic funks, and catastrophic events, such as the illness and death of loved ones.

During these times, we can easily feel like our world is coming to an end and all hell will soon break loose, but then, like the leaves on Jesus’ fig tree, I see one sign of hope in all the chaos: kind words from a coworker, help from a sibling, 10 bucks left in a pocket, joy on the face of a suffering soul. Suddenly the clouds lift and I feel both shame for not seeing the light sooner and gratitude for seeing it at all.

I would like to say that we are getting better at reading the signs of God’s presence amid the turbulence, but alas, it seems to take us longer as our lives can get more complicated with commitments and responsibilities. On the other hand, our joy can reach unparalleled depths when we do take a moment to breathe deep and acknowledge our many blessings.

Friends, the invitation today is to live in grace. That means, invite God more intently into your home, your heart and your life. If it’s been a while since you’ve received the graces that come from participation in the Sacrament of Confession, why wait any longer? If you’re still holding on to the weight of unforgiveness, why carry that burden an extra step? So that when the time of distress arrives, you’ll come through shining like a star. Hold onto the words of Jesus, and you’ll have grabbed the one thing that remains when the mountains fall and the hills turn to dust.

Fr. David C. Santos, Pastor

Quote of the Week