I say to all : Watch

History recalls that 1812 was a tragic year for the mighty army of Emperor Napoleon. It happened that that year, Napoleon paced throughout Europe, and nowhere met with great resistance. But when they came to Moscow, Russia was raging in a severe winter that Napoleon had not foreseen. Where the soldier sat, he overslept forever. Officers forced them and begged them not to sit down, for it would be their end. However, the soldiers were not dressed enough and therefore froze on their feet. Some soldiers begged their commanders to leave them because I can no longer rule. So the severe winter decimated Napoleon’s army, Napoleon lost the war and lost his imperial throne.

The life of the individual and even of the whole nations is certainly bleak if they have lost hope because they have lost everything. They are therefore despairing. This also applies to many Christians who, although praying, “Come your kingdom” (Mt 6: 10), but they live as if this truth is not at all relevant to them. But Christ says, “Beware, for you do not know when the time will come …” (Mk 13: 33). And he added a short parable about it: “It is as if a man travels: he left his house, gave power to his servants, assigned everyone to work, and commanded the doorman to watch …” (Mk 13: 34).

Heavenly Father knows when the end of the world will be and when the Last Judgment will occur. However, it is not his will to announce the exact time of the court to people in advance. The only thing that is saving for us is that it will surely be. The more we have to worry about being prepared for his trial. Therefore, in the parable, he continues to say, “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house will come: whether in the evening or at midnight, when the rooster is singing or in the morning. So he won’t find you sleeping when he comes unexpectedly! And what I tell you, I tell everyone! ” (Mk 13: 35-37).

This image is an admonition to watch, be prepared because we do not know when the Lord will come. First in our death and finally at the end of the world. Being vigilant – this is the life attitude of a Christian. The situation of a Christian is expressed by the situation of a porter who does not know when his master returns.

The director of one company went on a business trip. He meant to go by plane early in the morning. His co-workers were sure he wouldn’t be back at least that day. This encouraged them to afford a small social “rodeo”. Alcohol and cheerful life – nothing to do. When the fun was in full swing, the director’s stern face suddenly appeared in the doorway. He came back from the airport because no plane could fly away that day because of the weather. How unpleasant was the surprise present at the unexpected arrival of his director.

The Gospel calls for vigilance in many places and in various variations. It is true for all: “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13: 37).

St. John of Nepomuk Neumann, a native of Prachatice, died at the age of 49 on January 5, 1860, when he fell away on Philadelphia Street. Baltimore Archbishop Henrick said in his funeral speech about him: “He was ready to die at any moment because he was walking with God and living out of faith.” This was a genuine preparedness for the coming of the Lord, whose arrival for each of us is unexpected, like the arrival of a thief. It will come at an hour we will not even know … Composer J. B. Foerster said that we should act as we should be here forever, but simultaneously be ready to leave at any time. This is only an incentive to be always ready because that time, even if we do not know when, will surely come