1st Sunday of Advent – 29th November 2020 — Gospel: Mk 13,33-37
Tripartite Call: To Wait, To Watch, and To Work
Advent is a season of waiting, longing for the fulfilment of what has been promised. The gospel text of Mk 13,33-37 inaugurates the season of Advent on this first Sunday. The call to wait, watch and work for the Messiah’s coming are the gifts of this text. Just as the homeowner, when he leaves his home places his slaves in charge and doorkeeper on guard, so we are given the responsibilities to be on the alert and keep awake for the master’s return. One thing is for sure, the certainty of the unpredictable suddenness of a travelling Master. The advent of the master returning home is indeed happening in this Advent time, and we are admonished with its continual refrain: “Beware” (13,33), “Be alert” (13,33), and “Keep awake” (13,35.37). The sign for us within the community of faith is that Jesus has come, is present, and will come again.
The Greek word gregoreo has multiple significance. It means to keep awake, to stay alert, to be watchful and sleepless, and to be vigilant. It also includes the idea of being motivated, i.e., of desiring, of holding and keeping one’s attention (mind) upon a thing. Watching also has the idea of being alert at the right time. It is at night, especially through the four watches of the night, that one really needs to stay awake and watch (1 Thes 5,4-9). Time emerges as a theme related to watchfulness. When will the homeowner return? Only God the Father knows the time of the final coming of the Son of Man. Because we know that God is the watchful one, while we only see the emptiness of the signs of our materialistic culture.
Mark 13,35 instructs about the four watches that are seen within the passion narrative as the fulfillment of the apocalyptic coming of the Messiah, the Son of Man. Jesus comes to us “in the evening” (14,1-31), “or at midnight” (14,32-52), “or at cockcrow” (14,53-72), “or at dawn” (15,1-20). Herein lies the connection of the coming of the Messiah and the outpouring of the Son of Man in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The apocalyptic sign of the cross is present in this Advent season. This is the true sign of God’s salvation and deliverance from the emptiness of our time.
Though the timing of the master’s return is unknown to the slaves, yet they are charged to work and watch, and not to be found asleep. The doorman symbolizes those who have positions of responsibility. He has been given a specific task to do, and the job must be completed when the master returns. The work referred to here is not specified but is often interpreted as the work of discipleship. The longer the delay, the more likely the slaves become at risk of complacency, slackness and even distraction and God’s mission goes unfulfilled. Nevertheless, Jesus is resolute that his followers remain alert and engaged. The precise timing of what is to come is irrelevant; preparedness for what is to come is what matters.
Therefore, we enter the Advent season with a tripartite call, to wait, to watch and to work. Waiting can cause disillusionment. Watching can be hard. Work can be difficult. Still, Jesus’ disciples are called to actively wait, with anticipation. We may not know what is to come, but we know Who is to come.
