24“But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
25and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
First Sunday of Advent: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Nerd alert! I'm a Trekkie. In Star Trek: The Next Generation there is an episode in which the crew of the Starship Enterprise encounter a new race of beings that only communicate through the allegory of "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra." The crew ends up in a mess of a conflict because they only hear the literal words and have no reference points to the larger narrative. In order to illustrate the situation, the alien captain forces a re-enactment of the story so that they may both have a common reference to the allegory. In the end, the communication from the aliens that sparked a conflict is realized in hindsight as an overture for peace.
This part of the Gospel of Mark is part of Apocalyptic literature that fits in with the scriptures of Daniel and Revelation. It is symbolic language that references other phrases of scripture and symbols common to the culture at the time...especially the Torah. Like the Enterprise, we miss the opportunity to understand the rich meaning of Apocalyptic literature if we only listen to tone of the literal words. Unfortunately, dispensational theology as expressed in the Left Behind Series has encouraged a popular yet lazy and isolated reading of apocalyptic literature which suggests times are getting worse and worse and worse and all we know of this world must be obliterated in order for Christ's Reign of Love to come. This reading does not meet the test of fitting into the character of God as expressed in the totality of Scripture. At least in my Reformed heritage, the understanding is that we are participating in Christ's "now and not yet" inbreaking of Kingdom of Justice and Love for humanity.
If we follow the allegorical footnotes, we see that this passage and others like it point to a time when all powers that are known will be turned on their head and the Reign of God will be realized. Servanthood, hospitality, and love will reign rather than war, money, and power. Keeping awake means standing ready to serve and welcome Christ in the stranger everywhere. For me personally, today, it means things like showing up to prepare breakfast at First Presbyterian on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. for migrant workers or making plans for a retreat to Lebh Shomeah monastery in January on a personal pilgrimage. For United Campus Ministry it means welcoming those who are marginalized. For Canterbury Cafe, I know it means showing radical hospitality to all who come in the doors. For Treehouse, I know it means being a people of social justice.
What does staying awake mean to you?
How might you make a commitment to "stay awake" this Advent and beyond welcoming the stranger and thereby welcoming Christ into our midst?
What does it mean that Jesus is coming again? Does knowing Jesus return is imminent affect your life?
In Communion or the Eucharist, our Presbyterian liturgy opens the table with "For as often as you eat of this bread and drink of this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again." I add to this "and his coming again is Good News for everyone."
As they say at the end of that episode of Star Trek, "His arms open wide."
Happy Thanksgiving and Welcome to Advent!
Rev. Dr. Kyle Walker is the Director/Campus Minister of United Campus Ministry in Aggieland, the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and United Church of Christ at Texas A&M University and Blinn College - Bryan.
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