I see this week’s Gospel text operating on two different levels. On the one hand Jesus’
teaching is about the end times, and on the other, there are lessons for us to learn about our
daily lives. In the former case, Jesus outlines the cosmic signs that the end is near; then asks
his hearers to draw lessons from the fig tree; and then ends with a parabolic warning. In the
latter case, the reading of signs may direct us to look for signs that the Holy Spirit is at work in
our world, community, and life; to be attentive to the seasonal end of winter and drawing near
of summer as a metaphor for death and resurrection; and for our watchfulness to consist of
service. Let’s look at these in turn.
In verses 24-26, Jesus synthesizes images from Isaiah, Joel, Ezekiel, and Daniel, to provide
images with which the ancients were familiar: cosmic occurrences which serve as portents.
And, from the four corners of the world (north, south, east and west) the angels will gather
together those who are in a relationship with God. This gathering will be ushered in by the Son
of Man – who in Daniel may well be Michael, the archangel, but in the New Testament it is
Jesus himself.
The fig tree is unusual among trees in that region, inasmuch as it is not an evergreen. Its
leaves begin to bud in April, often coinciding with Passover. It is therefore a harbinger of
spring, and of the summer beyond. Winter has ended; new life begins. This lesson may point
towards Jesus’ own death and resurrection.
The parable of the man leaving his slaves in charge of his affairs while traveling, serves to
illustrate the need to be watchful and attentive to one’s duties, for one has no way of knowing
when the master may return. So too with the return of Jesus.
However, if one is to be attentive to cosmic signs and wonders of the end times, one can also
be daily be attentive to the ‘God winks’ in our lives. Those moments when one can discern
God at work, nudging, directing, assuring, correcting, consoling, tending to us. It is quite
wonderful to develop such an eye, such a lens through which to see the world. Once such a
discernment begins to bear fruit, it is thereafter an incredible and powerful gift of spiritual
insight.
Another spiritual gift is that of recognizing new life, fresh growth, positive developments.
Without that gift, resurrection goes unnoticed, growth goes unnurtured, and new life goes
untended.
Finally, our personal Gethsemane moments can be painful, when we discover that we were
‘asleep at the switch,’ as were the disciples in the garden while Jesus prayed. “Could you not
watch with me one hour?” asks Jesus (Matthew 26:40). The disciples had a job to do, and
they did not do it. Our job is that of discipleship and service. The doorkeeper was to be
watchful; the other slaves were to be attentive to their duties. So, we are not simply to watch
and wait, but to conscientiously serve while we do so.
