MARK 13:32-37
NEED FOR WATCHFULNESS
Text – Mark 13:32–37
32 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
34 It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
35 Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
36 May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
37 What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Historical and Jewish Context
Jesus concludes His discourse with a powerful call to vigilance. The Jews of His time longed for the coming of the Messiah and often speculated about the timing of God’s intervention. Yet Jesus makes clear that the exact moment of His return is known only to the Father. Even He, in His human nature, submits to the Father’s will and timing. The four watches of the night—evening, midnight, cockcrow, and morning—were the Roman divisions of time, symbolizing that the Lord could return at any moment. This teaching addressed both the immediate context of Jerusalem’s fall and the future coming of the Son of Man, urging disciples to constant readiness.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage expresses the mystery of God’s providence and the call to continual preparedness. Christ’s statement that only the Father knows the hour reflects His voluntary submission in His humanity to the Father’s divine plan. The Church interprets this as a reminder that faith involves trust, not prediction. The parable of the master and his servants illustrates the Christian vocation: each person has been entrusted with a task, and all are accountable when the Lord returns. Watchfulness, therefore, is not passive waiting but active fidelity—living each day as a response to God’s mission. The Catechism (CCC 1040, 1041) teaches that Christ’s coming will bring the final revelation of every heart, so believers must remain alert in prayer and good works.
Parallels in Scripture
Matthew 24:36–44 – Jesus warns that His coming will be as unexpected as a thief in the night.
Luke 12:35–40 – The parable of servants awaiting their master with lamps burning.
1 Thessalonians 5:2–6 – “The day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. Let us not sleep as the rest do, but stay alert and sober.”
Revelation 16:15 – “Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his garments ready.”
Key Terms
Watchfulness – A spiritual state of alertness and readiness for the Lord’s coming through prayer, faithfulness, and virtue.
Servants – Symbol of all believers entrusted with responsibilities in God’s household, the Church.
Sleeping – Represents spiritual negligence, indifference, or moral sloth that blinds one to God’s presence.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage is frequently read at the beginning of Advent, emphasizing vigilance and hopeful expectation of the Lord’s coming. It also resonates with the Lenten call to spiritual renewal and readiness. The Church, through prayer and sacrament, prepares the faithful not only for the end of life but also for the daily encounters with Christ in others. “Be watchful” thus becomes a call to live in a state of grace, ever prepared for divine visitation.
Conclusion
Jesus ends His teaching on the end times not with fear but with encouragement. The uncertainty of the hour is meant to inspire continual conversion and faithful service. The true disciple remains spiritually awake, discerning God’s will and fulfilling daily duties with love and integrity. The command “Watch!” is both a warning and a blessing—it keeps faith alive, hope burning, and hearts ready for the Lord’s return.
Reflection
Every moment is an opportunity to meet the Lord. To watch means to live each day as though it were our last—filled with love, forgiveness, and devotion. Spiritual alertness is not anxiety but joyful readiness, knowing that Christ’s coming will reveal the fullness of His glory and mercy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep our hearts awake and our spirits vigilant. Help us to live faithfully in the duties You have entrusted to us. May we always be ready to welcome You with joy when You come again in glory. Strengthen our hope and fill us with the peace of Your presence, now and forever. Amen.