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Here is our New Testament reading, from 1 Thessalonians: ‘As to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober’.

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘Nothing, as it seems, is so curious, and so fondly prone to pry into things obscure and concealed, as the nature of men. And this is wont to happen to it, when the mind is unsettled and in an imperfect state. … Before the Passion, the Apostles come and say to Christ, Tell us, when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? And after the Passion and the Resurrection from the dead, they said to Him, Tell us, dost Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  And they asked Him nothing sooner than this. … But it was not so afterwards, when they had been vouchsafed the Holy Ghost. Not only do they not themselves inquire, nor complain of this ignorance, but they repress those who labour under this unseasonable curiosity. Hear for instance what the blessed Paul now says, But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that anything be written unto you. Why has he not said that no one knows? Why has he not said, that it is not revealed, instead of saying, You have no need that anything be written unto you? Because in that case he would have grieved them more, but by speaking thus he comforted them. For by the expression, You have no need, as if it were both superfluous, and inexpedient, he suffers them not to enquire. …’

Paul’s instruction is rather towards true watchfulness, and a way of life that is fully alert for the coming of the Lord. May we ‘be sober, be watchful’ for the coming of the Lord, in whatever way He chooses to reveal Himself; and may God bless you this day.