"Keep awake!"

Scripture

 “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:37)

Reflection

With this new season of Advent, we launch into the Gospel of Mark. As usual for the First Sunday of Advent, we “begin with the end in mind,” with our text for this coming Sunday from the so-called “Little Apocalypse,” Jesus’ prediction of the end-times. In this, the last Sundays of the prior Church Year and the first Sunday of the new one sound a common tone: “Be ready.”

In Matthew 25, from which the Gospel readings on the previous three Sundays came, we found ten bridesmaids, five of whom were “ready” and five whose oil had run out. In the same chapter, we see three slaves who are called to account for what they have done with their endowments from their master. Next we see the division of sheep and goats, with Jesus to be found in the “least of these.” Three scenes of being “ready” or not.

What does it mean for us to “keep awake”?

Prayer

Gracious God, Keep me alert for your coming into my life in many and various ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.