1Cor 1:1-9/Psa 145:2-7/Matt 24:42-51.
The Gospel Reading puts together two parables of Jesus which both focus on the need to be vigilant because we do not know when the Lord will come.
The first parable makes it clear that no house owner can stay awake every night in order to prevent intrusion into his house by thieves.
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In these days when we also know of daylight robberies,the situation becomes more complicated.
This is because we do not have to keep watch only at night but also during the day.
It is clear that we may not be able to stay awake at all times but we know that once people suspect any intrusion in their house, they are ready to get up and defend themselves and their property.
If we transfer this imagery to the coming of the Son of Man, we realise that it is not enough to express the urgency Jesus wants to communicate.
That is why Mark adds that “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”.
The warning of Mark indicates that a general vigilance as we do for our earthly properties is not enough when we speak of the coming of the Lord.
We cannot rely on any generic calculations as some people do because such calculations will fail us.
We cannot look out for signs in the heavens or on earth because they could be misinterpreted.
Mark assures us that the Lord will come when no one expects it so the most appropriate thing for us to do is to be ready at every moment.
In that way,no matter when he comes, he will find us ready for him. Blessed those whom the Lord finds ready when he comes.
We can take consolation in the words of Paul in the First Reading in which he gives thanks to God for the Corinthians who he says will not be without any gifts of the Spirit while awaiting our Lord Jesus Christ.
The reason for this assurance is that by calling them to the faith, God has joined them to his Son Jesus Christ.
We pray that as we are joined to Christ through baptism, we may all be found ready when the Lord comes.Amen.
