Jesus says the Son of Man is coming, at an unexpected time—and we must be ready. But Jesus says, “About that day and hour no one knows. Only God.” Not only do we not know the “when,” but we also don’t know the “what” of his coming–just that he is coming. And when it happens, suddenly there will be no questions—in the middle of life’s work—God’s justice, peace, and mercy will become crystal clear. When God visits us, when Christ comes, the path before us and behind us will be clear. This clarity is the judgment of God. God’s visitation. Christ’s coming.

The early church expected Jesus Christ to come immediately, then with the passing of time, a little less immediately. In our age, so far removed in so many ways from the time of Jesus’ life, what does it mean for Christ to return? Especially when Matthew remembers Jesus saying, “About that day and hour no one knows. Only God.” Jesus admits not even he knows! So why is it that so many preachers throughout the history of the church seemed to think they knew exactly what it meant—and that we should be terrified to step outside the bounds of their expectation?

Christ comes again whenever we are alert, ready, and awake to his transforming presence in love. And we long for his coming in a spectacular great unveiling in which everyone including ourselves knows, values, and celebrates the mercy of God with acts of justice and mercy.

“You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” There is comfort in this command. Jesus would never command something we cannot do. We can do this. We can be ready. But how?

We often have been told that we make ourselves ready by thinking the right things. But Jesus’ proclamation is always about more than thoughts. Jesus invites us to take part in the life of God, to participate in God’s salvation. Faith is not a spectator sport. We are all given gifts to practice. Growth and transformation come from practicing mercy–the love of God. It’s all grace, yet it is ours by practice.

We can wait with expectation this Advent as we practice the faith (along with love and mercy) of Jesus. He is coming. We ready ourselves by radical generosity, mercy, and justice. We mustn’t give up, or settle for less than his invitation to be—in love.

Pay attention! May we receive and share God’s love made known in Christ! We can practice the coming of Christ by being ready, awake, and alert, to practice mercy. Amen.