33 Sun B 15 (Mk 13:24-32)

The story in today’s gospel is a clear reference to the second coming of Christ, which has yet to occur. The apparent delay makes it difficult for some of us to believe that Jesus will make good on his promise.  Most of us, however, have no trouble believing that Jesus will indeed come again as he promised.  We just don’t predict when.  Instead, we predict when he won’t come.  We are sure that Jesus won’t come in our day.

If we thought that Jesus would come again in our day, we might take more seriously the warning that he gives his disciples.  Three times Jesus warns his disciples to be alert, keep watch.  But what does it mean to keep watch?  What did it mean for the disciples, and what does it mean for us today?

We have a hint in the story of the fig tree, but we really need the next few lines in Mark’s gospel to get a full flavor of what Jesus was saying to his disciples.  In those lines, Jesus explains his warning to keep watch with a story about a man who takes a trip.  When the man leaves home, he places his servants in charge, each with work to do.  He also orders the gatekeeper to keep watch because no one knows when the lord of the house will return.  If he returns suddenly, the servants want to avoid being found asleep and not doing their work. Jesus says this is especially true for those who keep the second and third watch.

Jesus extends this warning to all at the end of the story when he says to his disciples, “What I say to you, I say to all, watch.” (Mk 13:34-37). This final comment extends the warning beyond his passion and death to all future generations.  The warning is thus meant for us as well—we who very likely are living in the second or third watch.

In this story, Jesus is the man who goes on a trip and we are the servants who have been given work to do while he is away.  And, we cannot plead ignorance of what that work is.  We cannot bury our talent in the ground out of fear.  Jesus left us with many benchmarks to know that we are on the right path, following him, doing the work that he left us to do.

We know from the Beatitudes, for example, that we are following Jesus when we are poor in spirit; when we comfort those who mourn; when we are meek; when we seek peace and justice; when we love God and our neighbor as ourselves.  The parable of the sheep and the goats is another way to keep watch.  We know we are following Jesus when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison.  Each time and as often as we do this to and for anyone, we do this to and for Jesus himself.           

There are other ways to keep watch.  Prayer and meditation will open our hearts to the light of the Holy Spirit who will lead us to all truth, as Jesus promised.  The Holy Spirit can keep us strong in our faith and show us the will of the Father in our daily lives.  The promise of the Holy Spirit is what motivates Paul to warn the Ephesians: “Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity…do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord...be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:14-18).

To be filled with the Spirit is to be spiritually awake at all times.  Be alert!  Stay awake!  Watch!   Buddhists call this an attitude of mindfulness.  In Buddhism, mindfulness is a matter of being aware of what is going on within and all around us.  Such awareness sees life as God wants us to see it—full of hope and possibility, as well as suffering and longing for completeness. The fruits of such awareness are understanding, acceptance, love, hope and a desire to relieve suffering and bring joy (lblc 14).

In this sense, living in the Spirit means more than a respectful tolerance of one another.  The Holy Spirit guides us to take an active regard for the welfare and needs of others, especially those closest to us.  But, we only see the opportunities to relieve suffering and bring joy when we are watchful.  This is the will of the Heavenly Father and the work we have to do while Jesus is away.

Jesus is telling us not to lose hope; don’t be fooled by the delay; he is coming back, just as he promised.  Until then, he wants us to know that we can do the work he left for us.  When we live as Jesus would and do the works he would do, we live out the warning that he gives to all:  Be alert! Stay awake!  Watch!