In the first reading, according to the writer to the Ephesians, God blesses his people with different charisms and gifts to grow into perfect adulthood in Christ, and to build up the Church. Therefore, it is essential that Christians should not be like children, when false teachings can easily affect our growth in maturity in Christ. Since Christ has also given us leaders steeped in apostolic tradition, we need pay attention to the truthful message as taught by the Church, and in doing so, continue our growth towards maturity in Christ.

In the Gospel passage today, Jesus continues his call for the need for decision and conversion by making reference to contemporary disasters and telling a parable about a fig tree. At that time, it was common to associate disasters with punishment for sin. Jesus points out that in the present age, good fortune and disaster are no indications of a person's spiritual state. However, in the judgement to come, those who have been evil will certainly experience disaster.

So, perhaps this is a good time to reflect on whether I am producing evidence of growth in maturity in Christ or whether I am like the fig tree in the parable, a Christian by name, but not producing the desired fruits. Jesus reminds us that now is the time to produce evidence of a life dedicated to the Kingdom. The time may be prolonged as in the case of the fig tree in the parable. But ultimately, the judgement will come, and everyone has to be ready. Are you?