My Dear People,

Today we begin the new liturgical year. This year (also known as year B) we will read from the gospel of Mark. 

The events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem have been in the foreground of Jesus’ words with the end of history in the background. Now the end comes into the foreground. After declaring that the events described above would happen within a generation (v. 30) Jesus now says of ‘that day’ or ‘hour,’ no one knows. 

What does “that day” refer to?  The most direct meaning is that the last day is the day of judgment foretold in the Old Testament (Amos 8:3-14; Zech. 12:3-14), see Matt 24:36-42). But “that day” is also the day of Jesus’ passion (Mark 2:22). Likewise, the “hour” is the time of the unexpected coming of the Son of Man as a judge (13:26-27, 35) but it is also the hour of the suffering of Jesus and His disciples. Mark has again overlaid near and far events to reveal their  close interconnection. 

The passion of Jesus is the beginning of the end of history. Just as the hour of Jesus’ passion points to the future suffering of those who follow Him, so the end of the temple and of the old covenant worship points to the end of the world. 

That moment, the culmination of salvation history, remains the Father’s secret—it is known to no one, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son. This list, in ascending order, places the Son above both angels and human beings. Yet as man, He, too, had to live in obedient and watchful faith, trusting in the Father’s plan.

Be watchful is the refrain that had been repeated throughout the discourse (vv. 5,9,23). This time Jesus adds Be alert! (or “stay awake!”). He, again, will urge the disciples during His agony in the garden (14:34). The fact that the disciples do not know when the time will come means that they are to live in a state of constant watchfulness. Although Jesus has not given them the exact timetable that they may have wanted, He has given them the clues that will enable them to be sufficiently prepared. God withholds the timetable because what He desires is not calculation but vigilance. 

The parable of the traveling landlord, (which is only in Mark), drives home this point. The man places his servants in charge (literally, gives his slaves authority). This scenario clearly points to Jesus and the Church. Jesus has already delegated authority to His apostles (Mark 6:7 10:42-44); now He speaks of His departure, when they will exercise His authority over the community He founded. Each has been entrusted with His work, a unique service or ministry to carry out within the household of faith. The gatekeeper refers to Peter, who has the greatest duty: to perceive the master’s return in time to prepare a suitable welcome. 

Be on the watch is another phrase that means to stay awake and be on the lookout, which is part of the duty of prophets (Lam 2:19; Zak. 3:17; Hab. 2:1). (This calls us to try to be in the state of grace).

Again, Jesus emphasizes that they do not know when He is coming. “Lord” refers to Jesus in His lordship over the house of God—both the temple of the old covenant and the Church of the new covenant.  He may appear at any of the four divisions of the night, in Roman reckoning.

             Jesus is speaking of His sudden and unexpected coming at the end of time, when He will judge His disciples on how they have exercised their authority in the Church. (This includes all the baptized). But Mark also links this warning to Jesus’ passion by structuring the passion narrative precisely in terms of these four-night watches: evening (Mark 14:17), Midnight (implied in the 14:32-65), cockcrow (14:72), and morning (15:1). Jesus warns that He may come suddenly and find them sleeping—which is just what happened during His agony in Gethsemane (14: 37-41). To be asleep signifies spiritual torpor and self-indulgence (Rom 11:8: 1 Thess. 5:6-8).  To be awake is to be alive in the faith (Rom 13:11; Eph 5:14). The trial in Gethsemane is the beginning of the trial that will last throughout the whole age of the Church, in which Jesus’ followers are called to be constantly alert and attentive to the presence of their Lord. 

The final verse affirms that this warning is directed not only at the four who are privy to this discourse, but to all disciples for all time:  Watch!  There is no room for complacency in the Christian life.  [Parts taken from the Gospel of Mark by Mary Healy]

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is on Friday.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation.  The Masses are 7 PM on Thursday December 7, and 9 AM on the Feast Day.  

Yours in Christ ,

Fr. Vincent Clemente