Keep watch this day.  The surprising presence of Christ is coming at an unexpected time.

We could spend our time hopelessly speculating about the end times, the time of the second coming of the presence of Christ.  Many do this. There have been countless predictions and just as many failed predictions.  Is this really what we are called to do as disciples or is there more important work to be done?

Here are two ways that we as disciples watch and wait.  The first is to watch for the many ways God is at work in our world.   We can become watchful for Christ’s surprising presence in the good and bad, in the ordinary and in the extraordinary of life in the world. When we see Christ’s love at work in our world, we can rejoice and give thanks.

Secondly, we can watch for those places where God’s love is sorely needed.  We cannot know how to be faithful unless we are also watchful.  We must care about the love of God in the world, especially where Christ is absent.  Where we notice the deep need for Christ’s love we can take action. 

The prayer of Teresa of Avila says, 

     Christ has no body now, but yours.
     No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
     Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks
          compassion into the world.
     Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good.
     Your are the hands with which Christ blesses the world.

 We can sit around speculating about when the second coming will be, or we can join in Teresa’s prayer and bring Christ’s presence through our action!