November 27, Friday Weekday

Give glory and eternal praise to him.-- Daniel 3:59

Mass readings: Daniel 7:2-14 / Luke 21:29-33

Hope Amid Hopelessness

In Palestine, the fig tree was the first to sprout leaves in late spring, signaling that summer was approaching. Though many of the events Jesus predicted (in the verses preceding today's Gospel passage) were truly terrible, these also served as signs of hope since they signified that God's kingdom was near.

Through Jesus' violent and painful death on the cross, God's kingdom was inaugurated; the consummation of that Kingdom will also be preceded by great trouble and turmoil. We just have to scan the newspapers or switch on the television -- and the horrors of both natural and man-made disasters scream at us daily, hourly. Yet, despite the upheavals in nature and the uproar of the nations, one thing stands sure and can be relied on: the promises of God's abiding Word.

Prayer: Lord, in difficult times, let me not cave into hopelessness, but cling to You, my hope.