Today’s gospel lesson belongs to Matthew alone. It is one of a series of parables on watchfulness told by Jesus in Jerusalem. They begin in Matthew with Jesus’ words, “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 all these things, you know that [the Son of man] is near . . . Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.”[1] Today’s parable is the third of five; the last two are for the next two Sundays, the final Sundays of this church year.
Read more