Jesus talked a lot to his disciples about the signs of the times. Today, he talks about how we human beings can tell what is happening in the changing of the seasons by the signs we see in nature, from the way we can tell that summer is near from the buds that form on the fig tree. When I was a pastor in Yazoo City, Tupelo, and Belzoni, I had a lot of farmers in my parishes who had to be very knowledgable about looking at the signs of the weather and the changing of the season to help them in deciding as to what and when to plant and to harvest.
Many of Jesus’ followers had a hard time reading the signs of the times. In fact, in the early years after his death and resurrection, Christ’s followers were certain that the end times would come in their own lifetime. Yet, here we are, about 2,000 years later, and we still are awaiting the end times. The documents of the Second Vatican Council also tell us to read the signs of the times in the way we live out our faith and in the way we proclaim God’s kingdom in our lives.
Many of Jesus’ followers had a hard time reading the signs of the times. In fact, in the early years after his death and resurrection, Christ’s followers were certain that the end times would come in their own lifetime. Yet, here we are, about 2,000 years later, and we still are awaiting the end times. The documents of the Second Vatican Council also tell us to read the signs of the times in the way we live out our faith and in the way we proclaim God’s kingdom in our lives.
We are faced with a lot of changes in our Church in a very short time as well. This weekend, we will say goodbye to our current liturgical year with the beginning of Advent and begin a new liturgical year. With the Holy Spirit leading us and guiding us, may we live out the faith with the signs of the times that God is communicating to us.
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