From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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 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 13:28-37 NRSV
Suddenly, a loud piercing alarm began to sound, immediately alerting me to some kind of imminent threat. My smartwatch also chimed in with a flashed warning, but the message was in Spanish, and I was unable to read it in my panic. I was suddenly seized with fear and confusion. Here I was, alone in a Mexico City hotel room, suffering from an unwanted stomach ailment that had kept me from joining my culinary tour group’s activities for the day. My husband had gone with our group, but they had set off for the countryside to learn about agave plants and make mole recipes. I wasn’t sure I could reach him and if I could, how could it help me? I was on my own and I had to make a quick decision what to do. Clearly, I wasn’t prepared for this sudden turn of events or what it all meant for me in that moment.
I had been warned that Mexico City sits in an area of unusually high earthquake risk. The city had been rocked by a devastating 8.1 in 1985 which had led to over 10,000 deaths. Earthquakes are a part of everyday life and risk in this area. However, because of these risks Mexico City has developed an alarm system that sends out a warning a few seconds before one is to hit. Despite knowing these facts, laying on my hotel bed sick, I clearly wasn’t expecting that kind of event, but I quickly presumed that may have been the source of the alarms.
Unsure of what to do, I grabbed my purse, my passport and key, and ran to the lobby. There the staff spoke with urgency, “Run! Faster! Get out of the building! Go into the street!” I followed their directions as fear gripped my heart. I joined a big group of people–mostly tourists with perplexed faces–and waited in the middle of the street. Eventually, when no large earthquake had hit our area, and after inspecting the building, we were allowed to go back in (the earthquake had hit in another part of the country).
Later when I told my tour guide about my frightening experience, he told me that he always keeps a bag by his front door with things he would need in an emergency and that he keeps shoes near his bed so he is ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. He, like most in Mexico City, stays alert and is ready for the next emergency.
Meditating on the text for this blog, my recent experience kept playing over in my mind. Jesus beckons us to stay alert, keep awake, and watch for signs in the world around us, looking for where he is near and working. Signals of what is about to occur and his return to earth. Yet, it’s so easy to live oblivious to all around us–scrolling through funny memes and Tik Tok videos–while ignoring God’s presence and the true needs of the world around us.
When I was younger, reading this kind of warning in Scripture would fill me with fear of being good enough for God. At that time Jesus’ warning provoked fear of God’s punishment, end-time suffering, and wondering if ultimately my sins and failures would separate me from God’s love and salvation. In those days I heard Jesus’ warning as if it was from a stern God who was ready to punish me if I didn’t measure up and wasn’t “ready” for his return.
Now I see it so differently. Now I see it through the lens of God’s love! Now I see Jesus’ words as encouragement to stay awake to where he is working in our present world and his desires for our lives. Now I relate when Jesus speaks of the servants “each with his work” and suggests they should be busy with their work while the master is away. Perhaps, this message suggests instead of mindlessly scrolling on our phones, our time would be better served by finding places to share God’s lavish love with those around us, aligning ourselves with God’s ways on earth, or working for true justice in the world.
Now I see that Jesus bids us to stay alert, stay awake, and look around us for the places he is working and has sent us to share his love, grace, mercy, and justice. We are his hands and feet on the earth, and until he returns we should be aware of his presence and work for him.
Stay awake, church, to his love.
Stay awake, church, to his desires.
Be watchful. Stay ready. One day our Master will return and we will be showered with his love and appreciation for doing his good work on earth.
Diane Tracey Flook is a wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about travel adventures, food, and health.