27-Nov-15

Gospel Luke 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves 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.
Reflection:
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near."
The day after Thanksgiving looking out our window, we see the tree branches bare and anticipate the smell of snow in the air.
Yet, Jesus is talking about trees budding and summer being just around the corner.
As His followers, Jesus is calling us to be beacons of hope.
In the coming days, our already busy lives will have the added excitement of the joys and challenges associated with preparing for Christmas.
In my rushing and preparing for the birth of Christ, I pray that I do not get so busy that I do not have time to tend to the hurts and needs of people.
I am reminded of a quote from Henri Nouwen who said, "As Christians, the interruptions ARE our work.”
Interruptions, by their very definition, come at the most inconvenient of times. The child with a problem, the broken hearted friend, the next door neighbor whose car won't start.
As I prepare for the coming of Christ, what will others see when they look at me?
I pray that my reaction to the interruptions Christ sends my way will leave those in need of help with the feeling of trees budding and summer being just around the corner.
“The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service." - Billy Graham