Finally, Some Questions

1. "But the exact day and hour?" (Matthew 24:36) - I don't know if this is really a question since it isn't a full sentence but we'll go with it :) Anyways, Jesus answers his own question: no one knows except the Father. So why are so many people trying to guess when Jesus will come back? Why am I trying to guess if it will be soon as I read through this apocalyptic chapter? I don't know. We're called to prepare, but I don't think that necessarily means to be standing at the door with coat on and suitcase in hand. There's too much work left to be done here on earth. Let's just get through that first, please.
2. "Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen?" (Matthew 24:45) - Again, Jesus answers his own question: "A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day." This kind of goes along with the last question. We're called to be "vigilant," to be doing what we're supposed to be doing at any point. We don't need to worry about the apocalypse unless we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing. That's when we'll end up in trouble.
3. "Why are you giving this woman a hard time?" (Matthew 26:10) - I feel like now I'm starting to get into territory I covered in the spring but, hey, it's good territory. However, looking at it in the context of the passage I just read makes it a little more interesting. Jesus tells the parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are rewarded for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, and helping the sick; the goats are punished for ignoring the less forunate. So, the disciples, if this story is told chronologically, just heard this tale and want to spend the money spent on perfume for hte poor. How isn't that commendable? They're starting to get it. But I guess since they don't really understand what's coming, they miss the symbolic nature of the act: the burial anointing of Christ.