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"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 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. 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 -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
- Mark 13:28-37
In yesterday's reading, Jesus continued His discourse on the "end times" -- both in Jerusalem within the following generation, and at the end of the age to come. (See Saturday's reading for the beginning of this discourse: Whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.) So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened these days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven."
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." My study bible tells us that this generation refers to all believers at all times (that is, it is the "generation of the Church"), and not merely those alive at the time of Jesus. Christ's prophecy is therefore that the Church will continue to thrive until He returns -- regardless of how desperate things may at times appear to be. That being said, it would truly be a "generation" within which the Siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple would happen. That "heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" is a solemn promise, a prophecy.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 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. 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 -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" My study bible says that although Jesus declares that the Son of Man doesn't know the day of His own return, St. John Chrysostom teaches that this isn't to be taken literally. Rather, it's a figure of speech. The meaning is that the exact date won't be revealed to anyone -- and that this should not be our focus. The message of Christ here is "Take heed, watch and pray." And it's repeated for us; Jesus ends with one word, an emphatic command: "Watch!"
Prophetic words seem to come in mysteries. Here, in Jesus' discourse about "end times," we are given prophecy of two events, the destruction that was to come in Jerusalem (and to the Temple), and the end of the age, the time of Jesus' Second Coming. Both predictions are mixed within this discourse; at times it's difficult to know which one Jesus is speaking of. But there are also things that are consistent, and they tell us what is important. The first is our own endurance as His disciples. We follow His commands and remember His words. Secondly, we are to rely on the Spirit through all things. And in times of persecution, our reliance is such that we're not to premeditate on what to say, but to allow the Spirit "in that hour" to give us the words of testimony we need. Finally, the consistent word is the one He ends with, "Watch!" "Watch and pray" is the way we understand the message here. Things may be intentionally vague so that we keep alert and watch. The early Church watched for the signs in Jerusalem when invasion and siege was imminent. And we are always to "Take heed, watch and pray." This command is for consistent action. What's important here is not when this happens -- He makes that clear. What's of the greatest importance are His commands to us, our attitude we are to adopt. We're like the servants awaiting the return of the master who's gone off to a far country. We just don't know what time He returns, so our job is to stay alert and watch. We're to be discerning, not sleeping. We're to be praying, not forgetting all about our discipleship, and not idle. This is the constant state He teaches us to be in, always watching, alert, praying. We're to know what we're about -- this is awareness, consciousness, mindfulness, a mind alert to discipleship at all times. This is how He leaves us as we await the end of the age, which will come at a time we know not, when He returns as suddenly as a flash of lightning stretching across the sky. What's important is what we're actively doing: being alert, watchful, prayerful, knowing what we are to be about. To "take heed" is about a way of seeing, a way of looking, an active participation in being alert in the way He teaches us to be watchful. He wants nothing less from those who would serve in His house.
