Signs

In today’s Gospel we hear two sayings of Jesus that may sound a little strange to us: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ passing on lessons about ancient meteorology and pre-trial settlements.

Buried just below the surface of these sayings, however, are very valuable nuggets of guidance for our daily lives.

On one level, these sayings are about recognizing the signs of the Messiah’s coming: his coming among us two thousand years ago and his coming at the end of time. It is important to recognize the signs and to get our affairs in order quickly… or else.

(May God have mercy on us all.)

On another level, these sayings are about where our minds should be minute by minute in our daily lives.

At any moment we may (and often do) encounter an opportunity to share our faith, to perform a work of Christian charity, or to lift up a particular person in prayer.

Are we alert to these opportunities? Or are we too preoccupied with our own worries and our own agenda?

Are we keeping our eyes open to see and read the signs around us? Signs of opportunities to share our faith, to perform a work of Christian charity, or to lift up a person in prayer?

When we fail to recognize these signs, when we pass up these opportunities to be channels of God’s grace, we risk our own spiritual growth.

Keep your eyes open. See the signs. Hurry. Be a channel of grace.