We think of sleep as a time for recharging the body, but the
brain is actually quite active during sleep — dreaming. Our dreams can be soothing or scary,
mysterious or helpful, and realistic or fantastical. Sometimes we wake up having no idea we’ve dreamed,
while other times, we can closely recall our dreams because they were so
intense and vivid.[1]
What an incredible night Daniel has when he goes to sleep! When he slept vision after vision occur in his
dreams. While partially terrifying, the
visions also provide assurances of hope for the future and expectations of
God’s victory are not in vain.
In the Gospel, Luke is appealing to Jesus the teacher; whose primary
audience is his disciples. Jesus
compares the coming of God’s realm to a blossoming fig tree. It signifies a change in season is near and
thus it shall be with the coming realm of God.
The fig tree signifies part of a “settled life,” symbolizes “the good life” of joy, peace, and prosperity. Establishing a fig tree is not easy. Great effort and years of cultivation are
needed before a fig tree will blossom in all its fullness.[2]
Jesus knows very well that the reign of God will be a long
time in coming. So, he compares its slow
growth to the slow growth and development of the fig tree—and finally its
magnificent flowering. The fig tree’s
maturity is steady once it has become established. Some would say our Christian faith is only 2,000
years old, and we are still waiting for its full flowering. Many might say it’s still too soon to tell
what the fig tree is really going to end up looking like.
Jesus assures his followers the kingdom of God is near and we,
his followers, must remain vigilant, hopeful, and steadfast in our faith, for the
full blossoming is on its way. The Scripture
passage immediately preceding today’s Gospel, reminds us that Jesus declares
there will be signs of “what is coming upon the world” (Lk 21:26). “But when these signs begin to
happen,” Jesus says, “stand erect and
raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28).
As we wait and are vigilant for the change of season, let us
be patient and yet active in our Christian duty of cultivating and nurturing this
slow but sure “fig tree” we call our life of faith.[3]
[2] Weekday
HomilyHelps. Exegesus by Dr. Carol Dempsey, OP.
[3]
Ibid, Homily Suggestion by Linus Mundy.
No comments:
Post a Comment