Signs of the new earth and the new heaven

This week the readings have been grim, speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, the persecution that the followers of Jesus will face, and judgment for evil doers. But today a happier note is introduced. Jesus tells his disciples to look at the fig tree. ''As soon as you see the budding of new leaves, you know that summer is coming.'' (Luke 21:29-33) He tells them to discover signs of the kingdom in what is going on around them.

 

The writer, Daniel O'Leary, expresses it beautifully when he says, "'Speak to me of God', I asked the cherry tree. And the cherry tree blossomed. That is what happens when we let God be God in our lives. God is the one who draws out of us our inner beauty." We see it in the love of a mother for her baby, in the attention and care that doctors and nurses show for their patients, in the enthusiasm of schoolchildren as they plant trees to protect the earth.

 

May we not only be aware of positive signs of the kingdom around us but may we ourselves be positive signs of the new earth and the new heaven.