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Understanding the sign language of God’s love

12/1/2017

Luke 21:29-33 Jesus told his disciples a parable. "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

       When our sixth graders graduate from I.C. school, a group of them sing a song entirely in sign language. It’s fascinating to watch because they don’t utter a word, and my favorite part of the graduation. But did you know that we are speaking sign language all the time, every day? For instance, every morning, you come to school and four students use sign language to keep you safe and not get run over by a driver who’s half asleep. They hold a long pole with a flag that says “STOP.” If that pole is sticking out into the street, what does it mean? It means you may cross safely because the cars should stop. But if the students tuck the pole behind their back, what does that sign mean? It means don’t cross; the cars have the right of way. Every morning, you are reading sign language and it is keeping you safe.

         Teachers use sign language in class all the time, especially when they are frustrated and perhaps a little irritated with you. Do any teachers give you the “evil eye” when you’re in trouble? I’ve given the evil eye and received it! Or, some teachers start counting very slowly backward: three…two…one. What does that sign mean? It means “be quiet,” and “pay attention.” Good teachers use sign language and they don’t have to use words to tell you important instructions.

          Many years ago I visited with Bishop Sartain at his home in Little Rock, while he was still the bishop of our diocese. I was a priest and felt privileged to spend time with him one evening, and just talked and talked.  It was getting late, and I was enjoying our visit, but every few minutes, the bishop kept yawning. I thought he was tired, so I better talk about something really interesting to keep him awake.  But what do you think he was trying to tell me by that sign language? He was tired, but he was also gently trying to communicate that it was time to wrap up our conversation and for me to go home. Even though I was a priest, I was still learning sign language. People often tell us things without using words.

          In the gospel today, Jesus tells us that God the Father speaks to us through sign language, rather than yelling at us from the clouds. He says we already understand some signs, like those in nature. When a fig tree sprouts leaves, we know summer will come soon. Obviously, Jesus never lived in Fort Smith. But then Jesus teaches them another sign, namely, the Temple, and its destruction, will mean the end of the Old Testament world. In the year 70 A.D. General Titus, the great Roman general, leveled Jerusalem and the great Temple, and effectively brought the Jewish religion of the Old Testament to a climactic conclusion. That was also the sign that the Kingdom of God would commence, the Age of the Church. God used a sign to tell us this tremendous transition was occurring, but we have to understand sign languages. God doesn’t always speak to us through words.

         Boys and girls, today I want to teach you how to read three signs so you can improve your knowledge of “sign languages.” The first is colors in church, beautiful signs of God’s love. Today, I am wearing “green,” but it is the last day for green. What time of the church year is “green” a sign for? That is Ordinary Time. This Sunday, the priests will wear “purple,” which is a sign for the beginning of which season? That is Advent. Does anyone know what color we will use at Christmas?  I’ll give you a hint: it’s not “red,” that’s for Santa Claus. The color for Jesus’ birthday is “white.” Pay attention to the colors in church and you’ll learn an important sign language. The Church does not always teach us through words.

         The second sign is tears, a very powerful sign. When someone sheds tears and cries, what does that mean, what is it a sign of? It often means that a person is sad, like I cry if an eagle swoops down and grabs one of my chickens. But do people cry when they are happy, too? People cry at weddings because they are happy; the tears are signs of joy. I cry when people give me giftcards for Christmas, so you might see me cry, too. Watch for the sign language of tears and see if you can understand what someone is trying to tell you, even when they don’t use words.

         And third, is signs of nature, which Jesus also talked about. When the world (our planet Earth) is sick, it gives us signs that we need to take better care of it. I have a cousin who lives in New Delhi, India, and he likes to run marathons. But sometimes the pollution is so bad he cannot breathe and he has to wear a mask like doctors wear in surgery. What is that mask a sign of? It usually means that someone is sick, and in this case it is our common home, the Earth. The world doesn’t use words, so it is speaking through us through sign language.

         Bishop Sartain taught me that a yawn means I need to stop talking and go home. When you yawn in my homily, I know that means to stop talking and finish Mass. Sign language is a powerful way to communicate.

Praised be Jesus Christ!