Keep awake

2017112702dark when I went out on 7H porch to see why the tug was standing by, sure enough, two tugs, ship just rounding the hairpin turn. 49°F it is, 57% wind at 5 mph, dropping to 46° by daylight, looking good.

On the Gutenberg Project where I read General Grant’s autobiography, last night I found A Christmas Carol and am doing that as my opening read for Advent. Per the author’s usual, Dickens is much more than any film of it. In fact, closely aligned with yesterday’s gospel from Matthew, for “what you have not done to one of the least of these …” may God have mercy upon your soul. Except that for Jacob Marley his time for mercy, chesed, lovingkindness, is past where his chain is heavy, his wailing cry hideous in the bitter wind of eternity. I’m only just finished Stave One, cold night filled with phantoms moaning incoherently, helplessly.

Day and week ahead, walk, meet, TAFB at some point, lunch Wednesday. RevFr Ward Clark dead yesterday, funeral Thursday at StMatthew’s Chipley. The week: Time to browse lectionary readings for Advent1B before Sunday as life goes on for those of us who are yet awake.

Mark 13:24-37

Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light,

and the stars will be falling from heaven,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”