By John Desing csc –
Readings: Dan 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32
We live in a time between the resurrection and the Parousia of Jesus Christ. The readings of the day tell us what we should do and should not during these moments of physical absence of Jesus from us. We find in Luke 21:36 “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.”
We do not know when the end of our time is. We should not be worried either because our concern should be how well of a Christ-like life we can lead. We are blessed with the ability to
remember what Jesus had done for us and the wisdom to interpret the present.
However, uncertainty is part of human existence. When we are not certain of what is to come, we will be alert, active, and awake. We find a number of signs and symbols in the readings namely, sun, moon, stars, and tree which tell us something beyond our ordinary life situations.
In several instances, Jesus uses symbols such as the fig tree to make us understand that the Word of God is symbolic and Jesus’ life itself is a symbol of new life and hope through resurrection. We are also called to contextualize the biblical symbols by reading the sign of times. Our lives become symbol of God’s love to the poor and the marginalized if we allow ourselves to be touched by the word of God which is full of wisdom. For those who witness the righteousness of Christ, they seem like the stars which are shining bright forever.