Tuesday, November 28, 2017

advent 1 year b

Mark 13:24-37

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 Human One coming in clouds’ 
          with great power and glory. 
     27Then the One will send out the angels, 
          and gather the 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 the One 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 Child, 
          but only the Parent. 
33Beware, keep alert; 
     for you do not know when the time will come. 
34It is like a person going on a journey, 
     when they leave home 
     and put their slaves in charge, 
          each with their work, 
     and command 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 the master may find you asleep 
                              when they come suddenly. 
               37And what I say to you I say to all: 
                    Keep awake.”

Queeries for the text:
Is darkness a trait of the Human One?  And of great power and glory?
Is darkness good?
Is tenderness a sign of the coming of the Human One?
Will the Human One be undocumented?
Who is the master?
Is being exhausted but awake better than being woken up in the middle of sleep?
Does this poetry speak deep into anyone else's soul?
What does it mean to "pass away"?
Do the elect from the four winds come from the four directions?

What are your queeries?