From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates.   Mark 13 : 28 - 29

Bible reading : Mark 13 : 24 - 37

Thought for the week

What are you like at waiting for things? As a society I think we had grown out of the habit of waiting. I think it’s a habit we’ve all had to relearn recently!

Waiting can have its uses. Helps us to appreciate things more. Helps us to slow down. Helps us to learn humility and grace. Helps us to prepare ourselves while waiting for things to happen or for people to arrive.

Advent begins today. We remember the centuries of waiting for Jesus’ arrival into our world. His Light shining in our darkness.

Yet in our Gospel reading Jesus reminds us of His Second Coming, and commands us to be ready, to ‘Keep awake’. It is about learning to wait, and learning to wait well, to use our waiting on the Lord to prepare, to grow in Him, to learn from Him, even to become more like Him. Humility leads to repentance, and grace enables us to grow and to trust.

It is through waiting well, trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, and preparing for the Lord’s return that we discover hope. That true hope is not just wishful thinking but through growing in faith and love. Waiting can be hard, but through waiting well true hope comes.

Rev Paul

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life,

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;

that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen