So with you when you see these things happening know that he is near at the very gates.

Every year at this time there is a sign that “the Son of Man is near--at the very gates.” His appearance is heralded by the blossoming forth of the cane arrows.

All year round we pass by the green leaves of the cane as they grow taller and taller, gradually coming to a place of maturity for reaping. They are a familiar sight on the highways and byways especially in central Trinidad.

Then suddenly one morning or afternoon as we drive along a new sight appears—the shimmering, ephemeral flowering of the cane arrow. It is a sight that makes my heart leap for joy. I know that the season of Advent is right around the corner—a season of waiting, longing, preparing for the coming of the Son of Man with great power and glory. It is a time of ending and a time of new beginnings.

This week’s Gospel speaks to us of these end times. Jesus gives his final teaching to the disciples—an eschatological discourse.

Have you ever had an experience of shaking up around you and within you--- a time of darkness descending suddenly and almost totally from nowhere?

It may be through a natural disaster—a hurricane like that experienced in Grenada, or an earthquake, It may be through the breakdown of a marriage that you thought would last “till death do us part.” It may be through the death of a close family member or friend or it may be through serious illness.
Indeed it is a time of distress!

For me last Monday was a glimpse of a “those days”and “that time’” experience. I had gone to Arima the day before and as I prepared to return to San Fernando, my friend pointed out to me that a dark cloud was emerging.

So I hurried to get out as fast as I could, telling her of my fear of lightning since I was a child. I thought that I could bypass this cloud because it had just appeared. But before I could reach to the Piarco exit suddenly, the sun was darkened and the moon lost it’s brightness and the stars came falling from the sky—a mass of dark menacing clouds covered the light of the sun.

It became so dark that visibility became minimal even with car lights on. Even the traffic signals lost their light in the midst of flashing lightning and crashing thunder.
Fear and anxiety rushed over me. What next I thought.

All I wanted was to get out of this dark storm to a safe haven.
But then there were the floods. On every street I entered water came gushing forth in torrents. I wondered if I would make it. Would I reach my friend’s house? But I did -- I arrived safely, was greeted warmly, had a cup of tea and a change of clothing.

I felt that God had led me though the floods, the darkness, the lightning and thunder to a place of safety, light and love. He was near even at the very gates. After this time of distress, it was as though the Son of Man came in the clouds with great power and glory. And I felt gathered.

I think of those countries in the world, where there is war and poverty and crime—Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, the Congo and other African countries. Places where women and children are raped, tortured and killed. Where little boys become men soldiers, where HIV/AIDS has taken the lives of thousands of men and women.

I think of Trinidad and Tobago in this time where there is murder and mayhem. Indeed, it is a time of darkness—of cataclysmic shaking up.

But even as South Africa experienced liberation after years of distress and darkness, we know that soon “they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” We do not know “that day or hour but we know that he is very near at the very gates.”

Lord, we remember times in our lives when there was great distress-- when our whole world was shaken up and there was only darkness. We thank you that in the midst of this darkness you came in your brightness and glory and sent your angels to gather us in. We do not have to be afraid.
We ask your forgiveness for the times when we have been bearers of darkness because of our selfishness and lack of love and concern for others.
We pray that we will be bearers of light in the darkness of our world today, carrying the message that you are near—even at the very gates.

Gospel Meditations for November are by Linda Wyke. An active member of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando, Linda, a mother and grandmother, is a former Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education.