Living in the Time

The texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary as we approach the end of the liturgical year may invite us to consider what is the purpose or meaning of it all? The images in the Book of Revelation which portray the defeat of Satan and the opening of the books at the final judgement should be considered with the image of the new heaven and the new earth which begins in Chapter 21. Friar Jude Winkler expresses the Roman Catholic view that the 1000 years of this apocalyptic passage is the very long period from Jesus resurrection until the final judgement. The agricultural image of the fig tree is used by Evangelists Luke and Matthew and Mark as a familiar reminder of the local custom of predicting the coming harvest by the state of development of this important food plant. Our living with Jesus by picking up our cross daily will prepare us to choose to remain in the Book of Life where Friar Jude notes our names were written at Creation. The fruit we will bear is described by Don Schwager as we live trusting in God’s Word. When we recall the people who have shaped our spiritual growth we experience, even though they may have died, their influence continues to bring warmth and guidance in our lives. Rev. Richard Gabuzda understands that “what’s done for Christ” actually survives this life gives us great confidence in the living of our daily life.