Lent: Day 14

“From the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has become tender, and produces its leaves, you know summer is near; even so, when you see these things coming to pass, know it is near. This generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch, keep alert, and pray; you don’t know when the time will come.

“It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. Watch therefore, because you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Otherwise, the master when coming might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell everyone: Watch.”

“Be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and the day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the earth. Be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

“The kingdom of God will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom delayed, they all slept. At midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the bridesmaids arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? Go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

While they went away, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other bridesmaids also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Watch, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Reflection

 

It is easy to be either oblivious to the return of Christ or obsessed by it. The important thing is not to have figured out the date (which is impossible), but to be ready whenever it might be. None of us has a guarantee of when either our lives or our world will end. How often do you think of the end of your life? Is it possible to prepare for the unexpected? 

Prayer: Help me live each day fully, Lord, faithful to you for however many days I have on this earth.