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Scripture – Mark 13:28-37: ²⁸“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁰I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ³²“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. ³⁵“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Reflection: What a simple picture. A man goes away and entrusts his house to his servants. All have assigned tasks. So whenever the man comes back, he’ll find the house in order.

This sure sounds like a story for the church. The Master will return some day. As Jesus points out, no one knows when that day will come. In the meantime, we are to remain faithful in carrying out the tasks He has assigned. Sometimes, I know, it seems like we’re just going through meaningless motions – doing things that don’t make much difference. However, that’s not my concern. My concern is faithfully doing what the Master is trusting me to do. As long as I do that, I welcome the day of His return.

Thanks you, Lord, for your trust in me. Whenever you choose to come back, by your grace, I’m ready. Help me help others to be ready, too.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate this Sunday morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.