Watch and Pray

My Sunday School lesson yesterday came from Mark 13:32-37.

I found it really meaningful, so I'm just going to crib directly from it, instead of trying to rephrase it.

First of all, the Scripture reading:

(image from daves-little-blog.blogspot.com.)

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even

the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when

the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country,

who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and

to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

 ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master

of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight,

at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—

³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

A Reflection from "Living the Good News" 27 Nov 2011
(livingthegoodnews.com)

When Jesus warns us to be constantly alert, we might
take that ominously, as though some distant, punitive
deity is waiting eagerly to pounce on our slightest
mistake. But we can think of this gospel more positively.

(images from http://www.visualintel.net/)

Our news reports are filled with pictures of families

awaiting the return of spouses, offspring, siblings and

parents from war in Iraq or Afghanistan. When the buses

roll in, sometimes at odd hours of the night, gyms are

packed with welcome banners and fluttering flags. As

each beloved soldier emerges, families and friends explode

with joy. The same phenomenon occurs at airports.

Observe the faces scanning each arriving passenger, then

see them light up as a familiar, beloved figure emerges

into the waiting area.

Do we await Christ’s coming with the same happy anticipation?

Would we rush delightedly into his arms if he

appeared suddenly at our doors? “I’ve waited so long

for you!” we might cry. “And I’m so glad to see you.”

If we don’t think of a reunion with Jesus that way,

why not?