Knowing the Signs

You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? // Luke 12:56

Toddlers seemed to be everywhere. A few babies gummed their mothers’ knuckles and children passed in and out of the room. I pulled my daughter onto my lap as she flipped through a board book while the other moms talked and laughed. The swirling chaos made it almost impossible to be part of the conversation, but I tried, desperate for a connection. On that sunny autumn day, surrounded by cheerful women and their cute kids, I sank further into my black sweater, the corner of the room, and my dejection. 

Tears began to blur my vision as I swallowed back the pain when, from across the room, the hostess made eye contact. I didn’t look away in embarrassment as she ever-so-gently cocked her head toward me, because her eyes were filled with a subtle but genuine concern. I knew that she saw me and what’s more, I knew she understood. I blinked back the tears and she nodded and looked away, not missing a beat in the conversation and never calling attention to our exchange. But as I walked to my car at the end of the gathering she ran after me and the next day she texted me. She sought me out at school pick-up and after Sunday Mass. You see, she could interpret the present time (see Luke 12:56). 

When she looked at me, she didn’t just see a woman about to cry. She saw a woman in pain who needed connection—not attention in the moment, but an on-going availability. This woman, who has spent countless hours nurturing her devotion to our Eucharistic Lord and praying with Scripture and the Mass, paid attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, judged for herself what was right (see Luke 12:57), and did her part in building up the Kingdom of God in my heart. 

Having our hearts conformed to Christ’s through prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments makes us available to see what is happening and know what needs to come next. Sister, we all need this life of prayer to be open to the Holy Spirit; recommit today to a deeper life of prayer.