Both Near and Far.

Approaching the end of Ordinary Time and the liturgical year, we hear this parable of the blooming fig tree. Jesus’ reference to the nearness of summer is out of sync for those of us whose current season is late autumn or early winter. But in the geographical context of Jesus’ preaching, Palestine has only two seasons: the hot and dry summer and the rainy season of winter. Unlike the common evergreens of the Middle East, the fig tree sheds its leaves in winter and brings forth new buds as summer approaches. The parable therefore emphasizes that the kingdom of God, like the coming summer, is near. But then the passage expands the nearness point by saying, “[T]his generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.”

So we seem to have it both ways: God’s kingdom is both near and far. Apart from those who are convinced that the end of the world can come any day or hour, most of us do not anticipate the passing away of heaven and earth to occur in the near or even far future. Nevertheless, we hope for the eventual end of a world full of persecution, suffering, violence, discrimination, and war.

Ending another liturgical year, we pray that our new year will be one of peace, forgiveness, and increased aid to those who lack freedom, food, shelter, security, employment, and health. We are grateful that God’s words will not pass away but will be heard every day as we celebrate the Eucharist.

Fr. Daniel Durken, adapted from Loose Leaf Lectionary. Taken from Give Us This Day.

Fr. Daniel Durken (d. 2014) was a Benedictine monk and priest of St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota, and former director of Liturgical Press.