A Homily – Mark 13:33 - 37 ©

The Gospel According to Mark – 2017.12.03

Mindfulness, and the Way

He calls us to diligence and mindfulness, to perpetual and continuous watchfulness.

That is what it means to be in the way.

The way of loving service is never ending, so long as we are engaged in it, we are living in the garden.

Love is love, hope is hope, and trust is trust…to live out the faith means being faithful, to actively trust in the goodness, the mercy and the justice of God, the creator of the universe.

To live in a state of hope, requires only that would hope, that we extend the hope we have for ourselves, for our friends, for our families, so that the same hope covers the stranger in your midst, the person who owes you money, the person to whom you are indebted, even your enemies.

To be in love, you must be loving.

Stay awake, be mindful, keep the lamp lit.

The way is like a great river; it is flowing, flowing all the time.

Stay Awake

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

1^st Sunday of Advent