The Gospel for MONDAY, June 20, 2005
Luke 21:29-36
And he told them a parable, ‘Look at the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you can see for yourselves that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of man.’ -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
Unforgettable Words
Jesus' prophecy about His Words stands forth in the Gospels and in the living church, the company of all faithful people.
A Reflection
Why would Jesus tell us that some of the mortal humans around Him would not die before the coming of the kingdom?
And why would some people today tell us that when the kingdom comes, it will be accompanied by days of wrath and judgment?
Why would Jesus show us grace, only to have it negated by some happenstance of birth or timing? What would Jesus say if He should encounter some of the fire-and-brimstone preaching of today? Would he recognize Himself, or the Father? Would he think that the Holy Spirit was involved, at all?
Would Jesus replace a salvation that depended on perfect obedience to the Decalogue with salvation dependent on perfect obedience to another code, knowing that humans -- as He was human -- are imperfect?
In all my questions, I have succeeded in making my head hurt! But the best answer I can achieve is that Jesus gives us that "A for effort," regardless of how our lives turn out, and that once we have acknowledged Him as Lord, and keep trying, we continue to be His, forever.
The Collect
Almighty God and Father of us all, we pray that you will accept our unfailing praise and thanks for the wonderful gift of your kingdom through Jesus, our Lord. Amen
5:06:05 PM 
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