Mark 13 33 –37

Jesus said to his disciples. “Keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching.

You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job.

I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”

Gospel Reflection

How strange to begin the Advent waiting with a scripture passage from near the end of Mark’s Gospel. This is one of the rare times that Mark uses this apocalyptic imagery, he is far more optimistic and straightforward than Matthew. However, the truth is that we always live in difficult times, with challenges to our faith and our ways of living. It is easy enough to put off the responsibilities of being a Christian; to hope that we will have another chance.

Each Advent gives us another chance. The Son of Man is coming ‘again’. Are we ready to enter into the Advent mystery and miracle. Are we ready to welcome our God?