Mark 13:32-37

"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" ( Mark 13:32-37).

Comment:

In the Gospel of Mark this teaching is from the very final hours of Jesus' ministry and life. I added verse 37 to your request because it completes the passage and because it feels like Jesus is looking beyond time and distance, speaking directly to each of us, as well as to his disciples. The passage follows a vivid description of an endtime that expresses as total chaos and destruction. It concludes a long "final sermon" with the advice to stay alert, so as not to be caught unaware.

Some early followers read "This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place" (verse 30) and believed Jesus was predicting an imminent end. Clearly, that didn't happen, and some turned away from his teachings, believing him to be a failed prophet. As always, however, Jesus is speaking on deeper levels than just the surface words. It describes chaos within us as we are called to release our mortal certainties, trust in our Oneness with Spirit, and step forward in confidence.  

We are to bring about within us an expanded consciousness that will express as the kingdom of heaven. When? No one knows. We will know that it's time when it's time. And it may happen frequently. We are here to constantly create the kingdom by aligning our own consciousness with the Christ and trusting in the guidance we receive as a result. We come into this world with a considerable amount of pain and uncertainty; our exit is often the same. Jesus reminds us that our creative process will be messy; we will be beset by fear and the negative energies coming from our own consciousness and from others. Every creative step forward will require our entire focus. We must stay alert to whether we are believing the input of ego mind or whether we are centered in the Spirit that is our true Self. We must watch.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed