Luke 21:29-31 NRSVue

29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Let me take time off to look at the signs of the times: not the transient hysteria of the media, but what I see and remember from my own lifetime. We have moved from world wars to relative peace, from rampant nationalism to structures of common concern, in the United Nations, the European Union and the like. There is less hunger, disease and infant mortality, better communication and mutual help. The kingdom of God has a distance to go, but it is getting nearer.