Watch and Pray!

Luke 21:25-28.34-36

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near. 34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.

Food for thought!

We had already this reading this week; and now we have it again. Why? It is because last week was the end of Year B; and today we begin year C. Last week we were ending; now we are beginning.

The 1st Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Today we move from the year of Mark (B) to the year of Luke (C). In fact, today's gospel is Luke's version of the gospel we read two weeks ago from Mark. And since in every end there's a beginning, and in every beginning there's already an end, the same reading is being used again, but from Luke.

Comparing Mark 13:24-32 which we read two Sundays ago with Luke 21:25ff which we read today, we see that Luke has left out all the spectacular sky events which Mark associated with the Last Days: "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven" (Mark 12:24f). Luke rewrites this with more restraint: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars" (Luke 21:25). Again, Luke leaves out altogether Mark's idea that the Son of Man "will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven" (Mark 13:27). Why does Luke leave out these easily observable and verifiable forecasts in Mark? For one thing, unlike Mark, whose attention was on the ending, Luke's concern is on the beginning. The two, Mark and Luke are talking about the same reality (same as, bottle half empty and half full). 

As Winston Churchill was noted: "This is not the end. This is not the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." He is saying what Jesus says in today's gospel: "when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near." Jesus was a very practical man, he is teaching us that the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety.

As we know, in the heat of battle, our mind tends to lose its balance. Too many things confront you at the same time— unexpected setbacks, doubts and criticisms from your own friends. There’s a danger of responding emotionally, with fear, depression, or frustration. It is vital to keep your faith, maintaining your mental powers whatever the circumstances. You must actively resist the emotional pull of the moment— staying decisive, confident, no matter what hits you. In moments of turmoil and trouble, you must force yourself to be more determined.

Jesus' advice is that whenever we get into trouble and turmoil, suffering and problems, "when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near. Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Stay awake, praying at all times." The word translated "carousing" here signifies the state of nausea that comes after eating or drinking too much.

Why prayer? Because prayer takes us beyond the present turmoil, problem, and suffering; without prayer our hearts gets dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life; prayer takes us to God. Without prayer, we get caught up in the moment. Without prayer we live as if there's no tomorrow. Let us avoid leading a life engulfed into the present moment. Let us avoid living as if there is no tomorrow; shopping as if there's no tomorrow; eating as if there's no tomorrow.

We should be vigilant to recognize and welcome the Lord who comes to us without warning everyday in people, places and events we least expect. If we are preparing for the Lord’s coming by looking up to the sky, Luke today invites us to look out, to look into the story of our daily lives and recognize the Lord who comes to us in ways we least expect.