Homily: Friday of the 34th Week in OT - Quiet budding of the fig tree

Chapter 21 of Luke’s Gospel contains some pretty frightening images.

Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, he tells of the awful calamities which will precede the end of the world and his second coming, he tells how his followers will be persecuted; that Christians will be hated because of his name; and at the great tribulation there will be signs in the sky, people will die of fright.

Then comes today’s Gospel passage: consider the fig tree and the other trees, when you see their buds burst open, you know that summer is now near.  In the same way, when you see these things, know that the kingdom of God is near.

What a contrast: from scenes of destruction to this image of blooming fig tree buds.

The scripture readings from these last weeks of Ordinary Time have been filled with warnings of persecution and violence; Jesus has reminded us to remain faithful to God during these turbulent end times.  In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus called them labor pains; labor pains, which proceed the birth of the new age.

In less than 48 hours we will pass, almost seamlessly into a new liturgical year, the season of advent, the season of peaceful waiting, a season of expectation, which reminds us so much of the last few weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, full of expectation and hope and the birth of her child.

The alarming images at the end of Ordinary Time here remind us to take head, to be aware that we will be tested and tried during these violent end times. Tomorrow’s Gospel will warn us, “don’t become drowsy, rom carousing and drunkenness, and the anxieties of daily life…be vigilant at all times!”

But as we prepare for Advent, we are reminded by this Gospel in particular, that just as flowers and trees bloom serenely and quietly, the full flowering of the life of grace comes about through quiet prayer, daily perseverance, daily waiting, patience, and hope.

Instead of hitting the shopping malls for black Friday sales, today, would be a good day to reflect upon the spiritual practices that the Holy Spirit might be urging us to take up for Advent: to set aside particular books for spiritual reading, to schedule extra time amidst the busy-ness of December for quiet prayer, maybe praying the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours or making extra visits to the Eucharistic adoration chapel.  Maybe you might wish to take up a spiritual journal, doing your own spiritual reflections on the Advent scripture readings.

Though it takes place in winter, Advent is meant to be a spiritual summer, in which spiritual fruit in born quietly in our souls. As we prepare for the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of Advent, may God’s Holy Spirit lead us to the sort of practices which will bear good spiritual fruit, that we may be found faithful the Lord’s service when he returns, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.