RBWords

     Every parent on a long trip (or even a short one!) has heard a child say, "Are we there yet?"  If the destination is a highly desired goal (an amusement park or a beloved grandparent's home) the "getting there" seems to be endless!  When are we going to "get there?"  Parents learn how to say, "It won't be long now...." or "We're almost there...." (and then quickly start a new game!).  The "now" and the "not yet" can be in tension with one another!

     When the "now" involves being a persecuted minority with a faith that the Messiah will return and execute judgment in their favor, the "not yet" can be a very difficult challenge.  How long can we endure this?  Or, how long can we maintain a state of "readiness" before we get into "readiness fatigue?"  The Gospel of Mark says three things about this.  The first is that God is in control.  The signs of the second coming involve cosmic forces that only God can control,  Second, the timing is known only to God.  Strangely enough, people who might ordinarily be very fundamentalist in their reading of scripture seem to ignore Jesus' words about this and continually try to predict the "second coming!"  Nearly two thousand years of effort in this regard have failed 100%.  Third - when the Lord does come, the community will indeed know that he is the fulfillment of all the promises made in ages past.  (Remember, Jesus was speaking to a first century Jewish audience.)

     So, we're not "there" yet, although our preparation does unite us with our goal in important ways.  [The Gospel of John is especially important in this regard.]  That preparation is very important.  "Getting there" may not be "half the fun" but it's the only way we'll be able to enjoy the destination.  The best way to "get there" is a life well-lived according to the gospel.  We may get lost from time to time and have to find our way back to the main road.  But God will let us know when we're "there!"  AMEN