St John Berchmans | Friday 26 November 2021

Today is Friday the 26 November, the feast of St John Berchmans, in the 34th week of Ordinary time.
 
Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Hanaq Pachap Kusikuynin, a hymn in the Quechua language of South America, a beautiful prayer which I might make my own as I listen now: “Bliss of heaven: a thousand times I adore you.
  Tree of uncountable fruits.
  Hope of the peoples.
  Pillar of the weak.
  Listen to my prayer.”
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.
 
Luke 21:29-33
Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
 
Remember a time when you were aware of plants sprouting new growth after winter or a dry season. What did it feel like, seeing signs of better times ahead?
 
Here, the “better times” are those of the kingdom of God. God reshaping the world into the kind of place that he wants it to be. What changes to the world around you would you expect to see as that happens?
 
The promise of this passage is that you can already see signs of this happening around you. Where can you see people trying to live in the ways that God wants, and what’s that like?
 
As you listen to the short passage being read again, notice any word or phrase that particularly catches your attention.
 
Finally speak to God about ways in which you might help contribute to the building of the kingdom of God here and now.
 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.