Gospel: Preparation for the Second Coming of Christ

Today, we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent, where the reading is lifted from the Gospel According to St Mark.

"Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.

It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from his home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own work to do; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake.

So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, or dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep.

And what I am saying to you I say to all: Stay Awake!"

Today is the start of the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical calendar for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel--Matthew, Mark or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year's first Sunday of Advent, we begin the Year B of the lectionary, which focuses our attention on the account of St Mark. This week and next week, our readings from St Mark's narrative will focus on two important Advent themes: the Lord's return at the end of time and John the Baptist's preparation for Jesus.

Today's Gospel is taken from the end of St Mark's Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes St Mark's report on Jesus' Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples--Peter, James, John, and Andrew--who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face. 

Today's passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus' warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.

Scholars believe that St Mark's Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. St Mark's audience consisted of Christians who were living in difficult social and political times, times of extreme conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus' warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.

The Advent season is considered the preparation for Christ's second coming in glory at the end of time. Today, as we lit the Advent candle of hope, may we be consoled by the faithfulness of God despite the troubles and problems that we are encountering in our daily lives, hoping for Jesus' grace and mercy for each one of us. Like St Mark, may we be reminded that even though we are suffering in this world with all the things happening in the world and our society, may we not lose focus of what is important and hope in the coming glory of God, with love, mercy, and compassion for others.

Amen.

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