Almost

DAY'S SAINTS
Charles de Foucauld, Union of Brothers and Sisters of the Sacred Heart
Blessed John Beche, Benedictines
Gospel Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away."

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A rose bud for the new born Lord.
Let us live in His childhood.

The Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and carried off the inhabitants to be sold as slaves, and everything torn down, until the wailing wall alone remained. That empire was overcome and passed away until it was no longer remembered. The empires of today exert another kind of domination over the world, and some worship it, being money, which can be exchanged for minds, hearts and souls, purchased to worship the false god of money. It will be laid low, and like all the empires that existed, before it, will be forgotten and be buried in the dust until someone trips on its stones to reveal its existence.

The people of God are His children, and they will know the passing of the heavens and the end of times before they enter into His rest to love Him forever. The phenomenon we know as death means the ones we love are with us for a time, and pass. But He does not forget them, and they persist, sharing His life, for they had shared His death.

We enter a penitential time so as to be more attentive to Him for a time. Then we celebrate His birth into this world, to free us from domination and conquest, to live as He lives forever. So, then, this is a time to celebrate, even in the most solemn moments, rejoicing that we may be refreshed and cleansed by our penances to be acceptable to Him when He arrives.

The children of God will be free, and in their freedom they will rejoice to do penance, for then a time will have arrived in which no one mourns or grieves.