What a jolting contrast in our readings today. From the Old Testament book of the prophet Daniel we have this great vision of the four beast rising from the see.
This vision stands for the four great kingdoms of Daniels time—the Babylonians, medes, persians, and greeks, who opposed and oppressed the Jewish people. And yet those four beast also stand for the kingdoms of the earth that oppose the Church through the ages as well. This vision is frightening, but its also hopeful. For the beasts shall be slain and lose their dominion when the ancient-one of heaven comes and ushers in the kingdom that will last forever
In contrast to the jolting vision from Daniel, is the serene image of the blossoming fig tree in the Gospel. Just as the blossoming of the fig tree indicates a changing of season from spring to summer, so too will there be physical observable signs prior to the Lord’s return.
Like the quiet and serene blossoming of the fig tree, in less than 48 hours we will pass, almost seamlessly into a new liturgical year, the season of advent, the season of peaceful waiting.
The alarming images in our scriptures these past few days, perhaps remind us that the spiritual life is a serious business, that we do well to ensure that we are on the right side of history, that we are making efforts to remove from our lives anything that is in opposition to the holy will of God.
And yet, also the serene and quiet blooming of the fig tree, reminds us that the full flowering of grace comes about through quiet prayer, hidden acts of charity, daily perseverance, daily waiting, patience and hope.
This last full day of the season of Ordinary Time is a wonderful day to do quiet reflection: what areas of my life need to be handed over more fully to the Lord, what will my advent prayer and charitable works look like. Perhaps there is a virtue-patience, gentleness, temperance, gratefulness, that needs extra effort this advent.
Though Advent unfolds in the cold of winter, it is meant to be a spiritual summer in which we prepare assiduously for the Lord through repentance, penance, prayer, charity, and the cultivation of virtue.
In the hours we have before Advent, prepare to prepare, come up with a spiritual plan for your Advent: your spiritual reading, spiritual penance, a list of the good works you hope to engage in, to allow the Gospel to bear fruit in your lives, fruit that will last for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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Lord, sanctify your bishops and priests, and grant them courage to preach the Gospel in its fullness.
Make the lives of parents examples of faith to inspire their children to seek first your heavenly kingdom.
Bring all those who have fallen away back to the sacraments, help them to repent of their sins and desire the life that can only come from you.
That the upcoming season of Advent may be a season of spiritual renewal for the Church.
Bring comfort to the sick and suffering, charity and care to the destitute and down-trodden, be present through your church to the miserable.
Welcome into your kingdom all the faithful departed, those whose names are written in our parish necrology, all clergy and religious, and X for whom this mass is offered.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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