The Son of Man is Near!
“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.”
Mk. 13:28-29
When I moved into my office at St. Thomas More a few years ago, there was a sign above the desk that read: “The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.” These are wise words, and I left the sign where it was, to remind me that God’s grace is always available to me, especially when life is challenging.
This weekend’s Gospel (Mk. 13:24-32) has a similar message but it takes it deeper. It tells us that the Son of Man is near, especially when it feels like things are falling apart. It is precisely when “the sky is falling” (see v. 25) that we are reminded that Jesus is right there. He is near to us, especially in our anxiety and fear. He is near to us when we feel out of control. He is near to us when we are powerless.
And isn’t that the “grace” we most want when we are afraid? We want someone, not just a feeling of comfort or peace. We want a person to be with us. We want someone who is in control to assure us that we are safe. Jesus’ presence is the...