A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 13:24-32

“But in those days after that tribulation

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,k

and the stars will be falling from the sky,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory,and then he will send out the angels and gather [his] elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 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.

“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

REFLECTION: "When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates"

Jesus came the first time through the Blessed Virgin Mary for our salvation. At the time of this gospel, Jesus had not yet fulfilled the mission entrusted to him by his Father, but we know that he did and we celebrate his salvific mission daily at mass. This happens when Jesus Christ becomes truly present on the altar, and the liturgy on earth is joined with heaven.

Jesus is presently talking about his second coming where he will judge the living and the dead. This is the "day of the Lord"--when the Son of Man will come with great glory and power. He will come as the Redeemer, King, Judge and Lord of the Universe.

This second coming of the Lord will be for many a great celebration --a new form of existence with our glorified bodies. Those who were faithful to God, will indeed be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. This second coming is likened to the budding fig tree. New growth signifies the end of a period or season of death, coldness, darkness and hibernation with the new buds of growth on the fig tree signifying new life, and the joy one gets when winter is over and new life and new growth is all around us. You can smell spring/summer, you can smell the Kingdom of God with its fruits of love, service and mercy .

PRAYER: Dearest Lord, when I am called before you, do not forget your mercy and how I tried to love you. Please now, fill us with the Holy Spirit so that my name and those whom you gave to me to pray and care for, will be found in your book. Amen

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