In today’s Gospel (Mk 13:24-32) Jesus says, ”But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This is not a threat, but a reminder that I do not know when Abba is going to ask something of me, so it would be a good idea for me to live “vigilant”, watchful, alert and open.
Beyond referring to, and maybe even in a sense describing, what will happen in the end times in some sort of a timeline, these stories might very well be understood as a metaphor for the difficult experiences we all encounter from time to time. If I am asking the grace to welcome everything that comes into my life simply because it is of God, I can’t be making exceptions, or trying to explain some things away.
I have had enough experiences in my life that the gospel end time stories end times described very well. Some have been injuries or health issues, others have been just terrifying incidents that led me to do things I never expected I would do. Through them I have come really to believe that somehow everything is of God. This seems like it makes no sense, but I really believe it. If it made sense, I think I would be worried. Again it’s like walking slack through dangerous territory and hoping Christ is walking point. I’m thinking a lot in Vietnam terms, which is a bit disturbing. These days really are dangerous territory.
While this affords comfort of some sort, it does not mean that I am blasé about current events, because I certainly am not. I feel frustration on many levels, probably because of my background. For many people recent events in our country seem like the words of the Gospel are being fulfilled in our day. Then there is the international situation which is frightening. If I look back at the history of the first half of the last century I see that Abba did not stop the cataclysm of world wars and what led up to them. He did raise up people to make good happen. Is this what’s ahead for us? I’m glad to be playing the back nine. I don’t believe Abba is going to rescue us from our current mess, but I do believe he is raising up good people in our own day to accomplish the good that we need. I know some of these good people in the rooms where the decisions are being made, and in the places where the decisions are carried out, who are asking these same questions. They have strong and loving families supporting them in this most difficulty time. It is a blessing that such persons are where they are.
I have no ability to affect the national or international situations. The only questions I can legitimately ask are, “Abba, what are you saying to me these days?; Is there something you are asking me to do in my particular circumstances?”. As an old guy with a heart problem there is very little I can do. And yet here, as I am, I need to be open and ready to be surprised. Either I believe that Abba is involved in everything that happens, or I don’t. Our tradition is that we do not try to understand in order to believe, but we believe in order to understand. What I believe affects greatly how I live. If I start trying to explain things to make it easier for me to live every day, I am missing the point. I am trying to fit the unknowable to what I know so I can feel comfortable and safe.
“Learn a lesson from the fig tree . . . when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.” Jesus is telling me to look around me and be aware of what is going on, and see it through the filter of my believing that it is all of Abba. Not from Abba in the sense that he is causing it, but in the sense that I am somehow in it so there is something Abba is asking of me., so I must have something to offer, even though I have no idea what it is. This is true for all of us. Things are happening and decisions are being made that are living proof evil exists. People are being hurt, suffering violence. The operative value seems to be that might makes right. Today’s interpretation of the Golden Rule seems to be that whoever has the gold makes the rules. Many are making God their personal agent who agrees with them on everything.
What is Abba saying to me here and now? I haven’t the slightest idea. It is not all doom and gloom. I don’t like it that the Constitution I swore an oath to protect is suffering violence and might not survive. Wonderful folks are being judged and threatened simply because of how they see themselves or who they love. Immigrants are being used and abused for political purposes. Truth has become relative. Good people are suffering, and I can’t be a part of that. So, Abba, what are you asking of me today? Maybe it has something to do with what I’ve learned during my service in the Army. Take care of my people. When I see anybody being mistreated, act to stop it. Treat everybody with respect. When I see someone doing something well, tell them, preferably in front of of their boss. Always speak the truth, especially when it is difficult. Do what is right whether it is popular or not. Never sacrifice my personal integrity.
Abba happens in the ordinary affairs of everyday living, and Jesus is reminding me to be alert to this, always ready to be surprised. He does not ask me to know. He asks me to believe, to trust, and go wherever this takes me. And so I ask him to take me where he wants me to go, to let me meet who he wants me to meet, to say what he wants me to say and do what he wants me to do, and to keep me out of his way, and if I move in a direction that is not of Abba, to stop me. I believe this prayer is being answered, so this is how I am being asked to live, putting no conditions at all on how I am trying to live. I don’t have to know, I have only to trust, walking slack and trusting Jesus is walking point . Just sayin . . .