The gospel for Friday of the 34th week in Ordinary Time is taken from Luke 21:29 to the 33rd verse. Jesus told his disciples a parable. Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, they see for themselves and know that summer is now near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Amen.

I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. The sign that Jesus longs for his disciples to recognize is a sign that is integral to the spiritual journey. It’s called rebirth. Dying and rising, losing and finding, that is in nature. It is also in the very essence of a spiritual journey.

All things are being accomplished. That’s the will of God. And whatever needs to be accomplished in our life, for us or through us, will be done. That’s the confidence we have. But whenever we lose hope and doubt during the winter, that spring will never come, that’s when Jesus says, remember, Remember the sign. And when you see it beginning, have hope and be ready to take on the work that is before you.

Closing prayer Father, there are good times and bad times, and then good times again, and then bad times. It’s so often that we find ourselves in this cycle and maybe we’re not clear enough. Especially if the period of darkness lasts too long, we can lose hope. But help us to know and to believe in the work that you have so clearly described in your own life, how you would be so successful in one moment and then look as if you were about to be destroyed. Over and over again, you rose to the occasion and taught the mystery that you long for people to see. Help us to be a part of that growth, that revelation, that beautiful process of dying and rising.

And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.