Mark 13:24-37 Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Reflection “The sun will no more give its light by day, nor the moon its light by night,” because we, the People of God, have refused to succumb to the subterfuge of darkness. We have decided to “Keep Awake” and be the revelation of God’s new light which is nothing less than a new way of being human. It is not about right belief. It is about right living. And right living is the fulfillment of our hope for Advent; extending peace, love and joy to all humanity.
This Sunday begins the season of Advent. It is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year during which we wait expectantly for the promise of new light to manifest. The temptation is to look outside ourselves and point our fingers at the untold myriad signs of darkness. We screw up our eyes and wrinkle our foreheads straining to see a new sun or moon or star rise outside of us (will there be a miracle cure for COVID?). But all we see is darkness (the COVID numbers keep rising; physical, social, emotional and financial loss abound). The result, we shudder, shrink and close our eyes. And darkness grows ever darker as we are lured into torpidity (turning to drink, drugs or mindless distraction) until Jesus’ bidding, “Stay awake!”penetrates the night and turns our world inside out.
It is the end of time as we have known it, but only if we “Keep Awake!” “For behold darkness covers the land; deep gloom enshrouds the people.”(Isaiah 60.2) Interesting how little has really changed during the past 2760 or so years since the prophet Isaiah spoke these words. Life continues to challenge us at every turn. We grow weary, worn down and desolate, turning against each other and ourselves. Until Jesus breaks into the scene and counsels, ‘When darkness sweeps over the earth and all that you have counted on to be reliable and true seems to be falling from the sky into the abyss, “Keep Awake,” for it is out of the midst of darkness that new light rises.’
‘Awakeness’ is the light that pierces the darkness. Which is why when dark is at its darkest and things seem beyond repair, we must keep awake to wield the sword of hope against agents of despair. When darkness surrounds us and lures us into sleep, there is every chance we will miss the experience of something new and good and true. And if we miss it, how will we share it? How will we pass on the revelation of God’s renewed light?
Unlike the secular New Year that arrives amidst gyrating crowds and explosive light displays, our New Year, our Advent season of hope is born on the quiet wings of peace, love and joy because the season of hope is born in our hearts. As the prophet Isaiah asserted, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 9.2) In other words, there is hope no matter how dark the times may seem.
The season of Advent, our new Church year, leads to the fulfillment of our ancient ancestors’ hope, hope that we know comes as God’s light born again each year in the incarnation of Jesus. And, the season of Advent depends on us to “Keep Awake” because we can only be the continuing revelation of God’s light in the world if we “Keep Awake.”
So, “Keep Awake.” Rather than forward, delete the nasty social or political cartoon. Rather than judge the person who seeks refuge or assistance, offer food, drink and a place to sleep. Rather than talk about “those people,” ask someone who does not think or pray or vote like you to tell you their story, then listen. Rather than lament the way things are, talk about a blessing you experienced this week (if you are reading this you still have eyes to see!). Voilà - there you have it. The end of time as we have known it because you have refused to succumb to the subterfuge of darkness.
Happy New Year!
If you found this post to be meaningful, please share by clicking on icons below. Thank you
