Thoughts for the Day

The coming of the Son of Man

Jesus said (speaking of His Second Coming) ‘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.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Version)

Thoughts

Have you ever tried to stay awake and alert for a long time? It's fine normally, until there is a necessity, then it can become difficult. There I was sitting reading in my second-floor 'eyrie', with the tv turned off. the door open because I didn't trust hearing the doorbell. The supermarket delivery was for 6-10pm, and the time was only 8pm. I suddenly found my eyelids felt heavy, and I began to yawn. The temptation to close my eyes and have a little doze was irresistible. Just for a moment! Surely I would hear the doorbell when it rang?

Our bible reading today of the parable about the man who goes on a journey and leave his slaves in charge to await his return, is one that would have often happened, and has a similar message to others we have looked at recently - keep awake, and watch out for the return of Jesus! Of course it wouldn't have quite the same effect today since we can share our journey with others on our smart phones, so that they can see exactly where we are, the times we stop for refreshment, or get stuck in a traffic jam, as well as the moment we are about to arrive.

But this parable has a double meaning for us today. We are to keep alert and awake for the day that Jesus returns for a second time as he promised for this could happen in our life-time! But secondly, we are to keep on the alert for the time we remember His first arrival at that first Christmas. For today is Advent Sunday, the time to start preparing ourselves through introspection and repentance for the remembrance of the fact that our Lord was born as a baby in a stable.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we use this time to remember
that You promised to return to earth
and to claim Your own people.
May we also use this time to prepare
spiritually for the period of Christmas.
Sometimes we put our faith to the
back of our mind when the day is busy,
but help us to make it the bedrock
of our life from which all else proceeds.
Amen.