FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A) 27 November 2011

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A) 27 November 2011

THE HOUSE OF JESUS

Mark 13, 33-37

José Antonio Pagola

   Jesus is in Jerusalem, seated on the mount of Olives with a view overlooking the Temple, intimately conversing with four disciples: Peter, James, John and Andrew. He sees them worried about knowing when the end times would happen. He, however, is concerned about how his followers will cope when they no longer have him with them.

   So, once more he makes known to them his concern: “Be watchful! Be alert!” Then, putting aside the terrifying language of apocalyptic seers, he tells them a little parable which has gone almost unnoticed among Christians.

   “A man went travelling abroad and left home.” But before leaving home, “he places his servants in charge, each with his own work.” On departing, he warned them about only one thing: “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.” When he comes he should not find you sleeping.

   The story suggests that the followers of Jesus will form a family. The Church will be the “house of Jesus” which will replace the “house of Israel”. In his house all are servants. There are no masters. All will be waiting for the only Master of the house: Jesus, the Christ. They will never forget him.

   In the house of Jesus no one must remain inactive. No one should feel excluded, without any responsibility. All are needed. All  have a mission entrusted to each one by him. All are called to contribute to the great task of living like Jesus whom they have known as always dedicated to serving the kingdom of God.

   The years will go by. Will the spirit of Jesus be maintained among his own? Will they continue to remember his way of service to the most needy and helpless? Will they follow him on the way shown by him? His great concern is that his Church would fall asleep. So he insists up to three times: “Be watchful!” It is not an instruction to the four disciples listening to him, but a command to believers of all times: “What I say to you, I say to all: “Watch!”

   The most general characteristic of  Christians who have left the church is surely passivity. For centuries we have brought up the faithful to be submissive and obedient. Only a minority feels itself today to have some responsibility in the Church.

   The time has now come to react. We cannot continue to increase the distance between “those who command”  and “those who obey”. It is a sin to promote dissatisfaction, mutual exclusion and passivity. Jesus wished to see us all awake, active, collaborating intelligently and responsibly.
Stir up the responsibility of the followers of Jesus

Source: URL of José Antonio Pagola's Buenas 

Website for Spanish original and translations: www.eclesalia.net

Jose Antonio Pagola,  vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by  (Valentine) Vally de Souza S.J.  vallydesouza@jesuits.net,   Mandal, Gujarat , India.

Konknni Translation by  Vasco do Rego S.J., vdorego@gmail.com, Jesuit House, P.B.112, Panaji, Goa.