Listen

Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.”

Luke 21:29-33

Think

When I started Sunday school, there was nothing the teacher could tell me that would convince me that Jesus was not Puerto Rican. If I was Puerto Rican, it made sense that my God was too. While it’s fun to think about now, it’s a reminder to me of how easy it is to think I can put God in a box based on my experiences, understanding, and context.

In today’s passage Jesus talks about the signs of God’s kingdom that require curiosity, attention, and discernment to recognize. For those like me who are blinded by our own perception and expectation of who God is, we have to constantly and sincerely ask: What is God doing? Jesus is constantly on the move in the world through avenues and people I do not expect, or worse, dismiss. I must keep my eyes wide open so as not to lose sight of God’s kingdom that is so close and even unexpectedly manifested to humanity in the form of a baby.

Grace Martino-Suprice

Question to Ponder:

Where have you been surprised to see God lately?

Pray

God, you are at work in the world in unexpected ways. Even in my own life you surprise me with…

Help me to see your signs in the ordinary, the extraordinary, and everything else.

Amen.

Go

May the birth, life, resurrection, and soon return of Jesus

inspire me to rejoice, obey, believe and hope.