GOSPEL: Matthew 24:32-44
Learn from the fig tree - Keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day and hour no one knows... Therefore keep watch."
CATHOLIC HOMILY: "THE DOOR BELL"
1. GOSPEL REFLECTION
My dear brothers and sisters,
This
Gospel has two pictures that look opposite.
First picture: The Fig Tree (v.32-35).
Jesus says - look at fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and leaves sprout, you know summer is near. Farmers know this. In Tripura and in Kerala, we know - when mango blossoms, summer is near. When sky becomes dark in June, rain is near.
Jesus says, God has put signs for those who have eyes to see.
But then,
Second picture: The Days of Noah and the Thief (v.37-44).
Suddenly Jesus says opposite - _No one knows_. In Noah's time people were eating, drinking, marrying - normal life - and flood came. If owner knew what time thief will come, he would stay awake.
So which is it? Can we know or can we not know?
Here is the beautiful Catholic teaching:
We can know the *SEASON*, but we cannot know the *DATE*.
We know the season - God is near, His Kingdom is sprouting like fig leaves. Every Eucharist, every act of love, every forgiveness is a tender leaf saying - God is near.
But we don't know the date - when He will come to me. It may be at the end of the world, or it may be at the end of my life tonight. Only Father knows.
So Jesus' message is not to calculate. His message is: *Live ready.*
2. STORY / JOKE
There is a funny story.
A parish priest was preaching about Second Coming. He said very loudly, "Jesus will come like a thief in the night! Are you ready?"
One old man in the last bench started laughing. Priest asked, "Why are you laughing?"
Old man said, "Father, if Jesus comes like a thief, let Him come. My house has nothing to steal. My only treasure is my rosary and my wife's prayers. If thief comes, he will be disappointed - but Jesus will be happy!"
Everyone laughed, but that old man was the wisest.
If our house - our heart - has only worldly things - money, anger, gossip - we will be afraid of thief. If our heart has rosary, forgiveness, love - we will welcome Him anytime.
Another story:
Two friends were in Agartala railway station waiting for train. Announcement said "Train will come soon". First friend went to tea shop, kept his luggage unattended, slept. Second friend kept luggage ready, stood near platform, eyes on signal.
Train came suddenly. Second friend jumped in. First friend shouted "Wait! Wait!" but train left.
Jesus is not asking us to leave our work and just look at sky. He is asking us to live with luggage ready - soul ready.
3. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS - How to "Keep Watch" today?
Jesus says three times: *Keep watch, stay awake, be prepared.* What does it mean for us, not monks, but family people?
a) Keep Watch over your TIME
Noah's
people were busy - eating, drinking, marrying. Not bad things! But they forgot
God in busy-ness. Today we are busy - mobile, Facebook, serial, work. We have
time for everything, but 10 minutes rosary we say "no time."
Practical: Fix one non-negotiable time for God daily. 5 minutes morning - "Lord, I give this day to you." 5 minutes night - "Lord, thank you, forgive me." That is keeping watch.
b) Keep Watch over your DOORS
Jesus says thief breaks in. What are thieves of our family?
- Thief of alcohol breaks Christian families in Tripura.
-
Thief of mobile addiction breaks children's future.
-
Thief of gossip breaks community.
This week, close one door. Decide: No alcohol in my house this month. No mobile after 9 pm for children. That is keeping watch.
c) Keep Watch over your HEART - Live Ready
In Catholic Church we have beautiful practice - Confession. We don't know when Lord will come. Don't keep sin pending. St. Francis of Assisi said, "I don't want to die with sin in my pocket."
Practical challenge: This Advent season, go for Confession. Forgive one person you have not forgiven. Call that brother, that sister-in-law, that neighbor. Because if Jesus comes tonight, you don't want to go with that heavy bag.
CONCLUSION
My dear people,
The fig tree is already sprouting. Look around - God is giving you signs. Your child asking for prayer, your conscience pricking you, this homily today - all are tender leaves saying, "Summer is near, God is near."
We don't need to be scared of the thief. If we live ready, the thief becomes the Guest.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, you know I am busy. But help me to keep my lamp burning. When you knock, let me not be sleeping. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
And let Mother Mary, who kept watch with lamp full of oil, teach us to wait with joy.
God
knows the date, we must know the duty: Keep your heart ready, every day is His
coming.*
Amen.
