Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Fifth World Day of the Poor

World Diabetes Day

In other years: Saint Dyfrig of Dubric or Dubricius (6th-7th century): Saint Laurence O'Toole (1128-1180); The Beatified Martyrs of the Clifton Diocese (16th-17th century): The Reading Martyrs (16th century); Saint Joseph Pignatelli (1737-1811); All Carmelite Saints 

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 36 The Sick Brothers

Mass: Dn 12:1-3; Resp Ps 16; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32 

Learn a lesson from the fig tree.

JESUS, OUR REFUGE,

HAVE MERCY ON US. 

Here with news from the Department of Scattered Musings. In light of today's Gospel when Jesus tells us to "learn a lesson from the fig tree" (Mk 13:28), I have been thinking about our fig tree. As it now stands, there aren't many leaves left on the tree with a few scattered on the ground below. Its branches are certainly not tender and sprouting leaves. Summer is not near. However, I did manage to make my first piece of leaf art with some of the fallen leaves, as seen in today's photo. All of these things, in many ways, are signs of hope. Trees fade, leaves change colors and fall to the ground, daylight diminishes, the earth lies dormant, the weather cools, and snow even starts in some areas, like in Indianapolis, Indiana, reports a friend who celebrates his birthday today. We grow older and all respond to these changes in mind and body in different ways. Things, and we, pass away. However, as Jesus says, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Mk 13:31). We must hope now, and not wait until tomorrow. We can be more creative during these times. We can be more vigilant as sung in today's Gospel versicle: "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man." So as Saint Benedict tells us to place our hope in God alone (RB 4:41), we do. However, we don't have to wait. We can get busy and keep going, no matter what, amid the joy and beauty, amid diminishment and the absurd. In what ways will you be more creative and vigilant?

 

SAINT DYFRIG,

SAINT LAURENCE O'TOOLE,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF THE CLIFTON DIOCESE,

THE READING MARTYRS,

SAINT JOSEPH PIGNATELLI,

ALL CARMELITE SAINTS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: My trinitarian fig leaf art. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021