NOTES for Mar 13:32-33

It would seem to be clearly said that no one can know the day or the hour; nevertheless advice is given to watch for signs that speak of coming events. But how not to confuse true symptoms with apparent ones? Over the last twenty centuries so many natural and historical catastrophes have occurred, so many signs seemed to coincide with those predicted, and yet the end of time has still not come. After all, the fig tree puts out leaves every summer.

Yes, every summer, and it does not know which summer will be the decisive one. But year after year it continues to bring forth leaves so that fruit will ripen by autumn. Without being confused by times and seasons, we are called to keep watch, so that by the coming of the Master of the house we may have prepared fruit.