Aware of Expectations

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer reflection on the nature of role of expectations in our spiritual journey. The letter of Peter point to the expectation off the end time. Friar Jude Winkler suggests this may refer to the time of the end of the world or to our own end time. In either case, Peter expects that Christians will continue to humbly work at using their gifts or talents to bear fruit in the community. The choice of simple service in the face of completing the "bucket list" is sometimes a great tension which can rob joy from people. The Gospel of Mark uses two episodes, one written within the other, to heighten our awareness of how we are meeting our spiritual expectations. When we are gifted to be aware of the deep delight of God in being intimate with people and bearing the fruit of love in our communities we need to be aware that that fruit for others is available in all seasons unless we decide, like the fig tree, that it is not our time, or someone else can do it today. Our faith experience transcends barriers when we trust in God. The inner episode in Mark is a caution against loosing sight off the relationship with the Divine which can be replaced with our busy actions in commerce and trade. The commercial relationship between people is necessary and important. We do not expect it to come before our communion with God and our neighbours.