God is Near

Matthew 24:32-35

And Jesus said, “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 all these things, you know that God is near, at the very gates.”

Fresh figs are so delicious. Add a drizzle of honey and a dollop of thick yoghurt for an even lovelier taste. Or, dried figs are yummy on their own or in fig newtons. And I read that ½ cup of figs has the same calcium as ½ cup or milk.

Fig trees are symbols of abundance, fertility, and sweetness. Perhaps Jesus was considering this symbolism. Certainly, tradition has Buddha sitting under a Bodhi tree, a large and old sacred fig tree when he achieved enlightenment. Angelica Mae Ryder, an Australian artist painted this sumptuous image of a fig ripening. 

But is this text just about figs? Actually, it’s about seeing signs of God being near, as near as our gate, or in our more contemporary context, our front door.

As I think more about God being as near as my front door, I wonder whether God is outside waiting to be let in.

Or, is God inside waiting for me to share with others and the world.

I wonder how I lock the door to hold back possibilities of rejoicing in the nearness of God.

Joseph Campbell, mythologist and writer, said, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” That sense of a door opening to the universe is beautifully depicted by Rollin Kocsis.

And so I wonder, what gifts is God or the universe willing to offer when I’m willing to be open to the nearness of God and God’s Spirit?

Our Advent Exploration question for today is: How do you experience the nearness of God?