Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More
Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Luke 21.29-33
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Jesus told his disciples 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.’
Reflection
Jesus said: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
For three years Jesus, the Son of God, walked this earth. During that time he taught, he preached, he worked wondrous signs and he healed the sick. Much of what Jesus did and said caused controversy because it flew in the face of a centuries-old tradition that had been created by successive generations of religious teachers. Those ancient traditions were not necessarily developed in any spirit other than doing the best for God. However, as time went by, and as they became increasingly complex and onerous, those traditions turned into an impenetrable barrier that stood between humanity and God.
Our scriptures comprise approximately 750,000 words inspired by God. They give us God’s law, as well as the history of early Judaism (the foundation of our Christian faith). They give prophecy and wisdom, early doctrinal teaching and an insight into the building of the early Church. And, of course, the words of scripture give us an account of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. Throughout our reading of scripture we are urged to read, to pray and to do. But, we are human beings, and we struggle with such apparent simplicity. We are hard-wired to believe that that which is straightforward cannot be of true value; we like to make things complicated. But, the truth is that reading, praying and doing according to the word of God is hard enough. We do not need to make it any more convoluted than that. That reading, praying and doing is a life-long mission in its own right.
Today Jesus reminds us of the permanency of his words … they will not pass away. Jesus’ words are fixed for the whole of time because they are the words of perfection, a perfection which cannot be improved upon by our puny intellects, whims and fancies. Today’s reading reminds us that we should never let up in responding to God’s call to follow the signs and teachings we have been given in the words of scripture. Today we are being reminded of the constant need to dust down those bibles and read them regularly; to pray the words of scripture in order that they might become the root of all we say and think; to use the inspired word of God as the blueprint by which we live out every day of our lives, now and to the end of time.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Let us praise Christ our King, by whose cross we have citizenship in heaven, saying: all your saints praise you.
Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles:
all your saints praise you.
You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints:
all your saints praise you.
You made us to be a kingdom and priests serving our God:
all your saints praise you.
You have shared our burdens,
revealing the holiness of our life and work:
all your saints praise you.
You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom:
all your saints praise you.
You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints:
all your saints praise you.
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.