Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Kingdom Of God Is Near
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Year II. The Book of Revelation gives us today a vision of hope: God will ultimately be victorious; the forces of evil will be chained for good, the just will reign with God, a new heaven and a new earth will come, God’s people (the new Jerusalem) will be pure. We must be aware that eternal life is already at work in the life of the baptized and people themselves help in giving birth to a new world. We must, as Jesus says, see these things happening now.
Gospel. The faithful should keep hope in patience: God’s kingdom is near. There are not only tensions and conflicts inside God’s people and from outside: there are also signs of hope, and we should see these signs.
Opening Prayer
God of the ages and of eternity,
you have entrusted to us, your people,
your project about people and the world.
Do not allow us to delay your plans
by our own limitations.
Make us aware that all we can do is
being a leaven, and a sign
that the seed you have sown will grow.
Keep us hoping in patience,
that integrity, love and justice
will come in your own good time
as a gift from you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Passage not found or reference not recognized: Revelation 20:1-4, 11—21:2
Responsorial Psalm
R. (Revelation 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Alleluia Verse
<p>R. <strong>Alleluia, alleluia.</strong><br />
Stand erect and raise your heads<br />
because your redemption is at hand.<br />
R. <strong>Alleluia, alleluia.</strong></p>
Gospel
And Jesus added this comparison:
“Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is coming.
Similarly, when you see these signs happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all of this occurs.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– That we may always look for signs of hope when life is difficult and our faith is tested, we pray:
– That we may always keep trusting the Lord Jesus, that he is with us until the end of time, we pray:
– That we may accept that it is difficult for the kingdom of God to break through and to bring justice and love to all, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God of the promises,
to destroy the powers of evil
your Son came not as a triumphant king
but as the suffering Son of Man.
In this bread and this wine
we join our destiny to his.
May we learn from him
whose apparent failure led to victory
to accept the tensions of our time
and the slow growth of your kingdom
in patience and hope.
For we know that you keep your promises
of unending life and love and happiness
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, God of hope,
you have given us a beautiful dream
of your unending reign of love and joy,
but we are torn between discouragement and hope
because it is beyond our powers.
Thank you for reviving our expectations
through the body and blood of your Son.
Help us to grow into new people
through our tensions and struggles
by the strength of him to whom you have given
sovereignty and glory and kingship,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
It is sometimes said by non-believers that Christians look up to heaven because they cannot deal with the world. Christ tells us we must deal with the world and change it, working toward “a new heaven and a new earth.” Let us try to do so with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 21:29–33
Learning to Notice What Is Growing
Jesus points to a fig tree and the other trees. New leaves tell people that summer is approaching. He invites his disciples to pay attention: even amid uncertainty, they must learn to recognise the nearness of God’s kingdom.
Much of our attention is drawn towards what is going wrong. We notice conflict, failure and disappointment. These realities deserve an honest response, but they are not the whole story.
A sincere apology, a renewed friendship, a young person discovering prayer, or a community caring for a struggling family can invite us to notice grace at work. Such moments do not erase suffering; they keep us from believing that suffering is all there is.
Pope Francis’ teaching on perseverance offers a helpful guide: goodness grows through steady, daily acts, even when the surrounding circumstances encourage us to give up.
Jesus also assures us that his words will not pass away. We need this dependable voice amid so many changing opinions and promises. Returning to the Gospel gives us space to ask not simply, “What is happening?” but, “Lord, how are you calling me to respond?”
Today, pause over one sentence of Scripture. Let it illuminate an ordinary conversation, a difficult decision or a small beginning of hope.
To reflect on: Where can I recognise a small beginning of goodness that needs encouragement?
Prayer: Faithful Lord, open our eyes to the life you are nurturing among us. Let your word take root in our hearts and guide the choices we make today. Amen.