Words that will not pass away

We live in times of great change and great uncertainty. Everything seems to be transient, all is passing away. Yet, in the midst of this epochal change, we can be assured that Jesus’ promise of accompanying us, in the midst of this upheaval, remains true. In this week’s Gospel Mark 13: 24-32 Jesus assures us of this when He says ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’

Pope Francis gave a meditation on this phrase titled ‘Times Change’. In it he said that the times are changing and we Christians must change continuously, freely but within the truth of the faith. He urged us to look at the signs of the times and warned us against succumbing to the comfort of conformity. He went on to call us to learn to understand the signs of our times, that is to pay close attention to what is happening in our world and to seek God's saving presence in it. 

As I reflected on Jesus’ statement and Papa Francis meditation on it, I looked for a metaphor, a story in my own life to capture this sentiment ‘of remaining constant in faith, in the midst of change’. I thought of a river, that I crossed as a child, on my way home from school. On days of heavy rain, the river will transform to a brown raging torrent carrying along large broken tree branches, but I was safe and secure, firm at the top of the bridge, looking on.

To remain constant in faith in Jesus, Pope Francis said, ‘Silence is necessary ... [we need] to observe ... and afterwards to think,’ We also must change, yet remain steadfast in the faith in Jesus Christ ... our approach must constantly move according to the signs of the times.’

Faith leaves us no room to moan or spread fear about what is happening, but to cultivate attitudes and behavior that proclaim, ‘Jesus does not abandon us.’

In order to do that in a credible way, we need to listen deeply to Jesus' promise that when things seem to be falling apart and the very forces of nature seem to wreak death, God is near, the reign of God is truly among us.

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Pope Francis goes on to say - ‘We must ask ourselves, what is the message that the Lord wants to give me with this sign of the times?’ to be silent and observe. And afterwards we need to reflect within ourselves. And pray… silence, reflection and prayer. It’s only in this way that we can understand the signs of the times, what Jesus wants to tell us.’

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In a marvellous insight Pope Francis said - do not look to the experts or professionals to explain to us what is happening - He recalled how Jesus didn’t tell us to look at how the professors, the doctors and the intellectuals do things, but instead urged us to look at the farm labourer (the everyday people) who knows how to ‘separate the wheat from the chaff.’

Christ invites us to read the frightening moments of our lives as a promise that God is here, ready to transform our fear into joy.

Once again I urge you to obtain a copy of my book ‘A Season of Hope’ and with its guidance start your own journal through Advent to Christmas and the Epiphany. You can get it at the following link A Season of Hope LINK

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