In the early days of colonial New England, there was an eclipse of the sun. Not having our scientific background to explain or predict an eclipse, there were those who wished to give the phenomenon a more sinister meaning - that such an event signaled the end of the world, or some such calamity. Lamar Williamson, Jr in his History of New England explains what happened amongst those in a meeting of the colonial legislature:

"The sky turned dark rapidly and without explanation. Some of the legislators panicked and several moved to adjourn. But one of them said. "Mr. Speaker, if it is not the end of the world, and we adjourn, we shell appear to be fools. If it is the end of the world, I should choose to be found doing my duty. I move you, sir, that candles be brought."

Mark's Gospel tells of a conversation Jesus had with four of his followers (Peter, James, John and Andrew). Jesus and his disciples had spoken that day concerning the destruction of the temple and the subsequent war that was to envelop Jerusalem (Mark 13).

These words must have seemed to have taken on fresh meaning to the early Christian church at the time that the Gospel of Mark was written because these words were set down in the years immediately following the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The disaster was no longer a prediction - it was a reality. Early Christians must have been asking themselves: "What should we be doing in times like this?"

The parable that Jesus shares concerns a man going on a journey, leaving his servants with work to do, and no clear understanding of when he will return. "It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on watch. Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come...."

The paradox of the parable is that it tells us to watch, while at the same time it tells us that we have jobs to do. Perhaps it does not seem possible to do both at once, but on the other hand, perhaps doing our jobs is one way of watching. As we walk down the path that Christ has shown us, as we share with others a cup of waters, learn to forgive, do for others as he did for us, and hold God in our hearts, are we not watching for God until God comes?

When faced with the calamities of our world, are we ready to continue the work we are called to do? "What should we be doing in times like this?" We have to remember that no matter what happens, we have work to do. Our best response to dark times was to get back to the work. No matter. And please, someone bring the candles. Let us be a Light to others by how our lives speak.

Matthew Zuehlke