“It Shall Stand Forever” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)

“It Shall Stand Forever” by Melanie Rigney

Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

“In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:40)

Give glory and eternal praise to him. (Daniel 3:59b)

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!” (Luke 21:7-8)

Piety

Jesus, let me not be distracted by shiny objects on my path toward the hope of eternal salvation.

Study

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind

Do this don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?

Back in my youth, Canada’s Five Man Electrical Band recorded “Signs,” a tune with the above refrain and a whole lot of lyrics about not prejudging or judging people. (Squirrel alert! Then, twenty-seven years later, right here in the DC area, I was having dinner with a technology industry executive who mentioned that her first husband had been in a Canadian rock band, and you can guess which one—and what I started singing right there in the restaurant.)

Nostalgia aside, there are some takeaways from that refrain that still resonate. Signs are everywhere—and yet nowhere—in our lives. The opportunity for deception abounds.

Consider today’s Gospel reading. The people want to know the sign that will let them know when the temple is about to be destroyed; they really don’t need to worry their pretty little heads or change any behavior until that happens, right? Life can go on as usual. Jesus warns them against false signs, against listening to those who claim to have all the answers and who purport to have been sent from God.

God does give us signs. Think about the times you have been beset by anxiety or worry or temptation, and a remedy has occurred in such a way it could come from no one but Him. But He’s not going to send out flares and use neon signs to signal the end times. He loves us more than that. Do you want a symbol of that? He sent His only begotten Son to be crucified for our sins, and then showed us His resurrection. He invites us to hold close always those signs. If we keep them foremost in our hearts and souls, we will never be deceived. The scenery on the path ahead will remain unobstructed and beautiful.

Action

Pray for the faith to close your eyes to false prophets and signs.

Image is john-i/Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/fake-news-hoax-highway-road-sign-3843976/