Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 24:36-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, Verse 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Verse 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Verse 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Devotion
The readings for the first Sunday of Advent all speak in some way about "that day"—about some time in the future for which we wait. Perhaps it's a bit presumptuous to say that no one likes waiting; I know I don't like to wait! But clearly to speak of "that day" is in some way inviting us to wait. And also inviting us to reflect on God's timing. Two things we can know about that timing: one, we can be confident that the future is in God’s hands, and two, "no one knows about that day and hour." The Son of Man is surely coming, but that coming may be at "any time." So the call is to the watchfulness and readiness of waiting, to Advent's invitation to live with imaginations and visions tuned to what God has in store. Waiting takes energy. It takes diligence not to be lulled by the same-old, same-old of each day as we wait for the timing and mystery of God's salvation to unfold.
Prayer
O God of our waiting, fill us with energy and hope as we live in confidence that our future is in your hands, and in the sure and certain promise that is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.