The first book of our Bible, Genesis, was actually written quite late in Jewish history. It seems to be a collection of stories to teach Jewish children (and their parents) how to live a godly life. The ancestral figures, beginning with Adam and Eve, exemplify in a dramatic way (somewhat like Jesus' parables) the challenges that would face the Jewish people in every age. Two important figures in this narrative, whom Jesus refers to in today's gospel, are Noah and Lot.

Jesus' point is that we must be always vigilant, always ready for the coming of the Son of Man (the Last Judgement). Both Noah and Lot were God-fearing men who lived in disastrous times. They witnessed the sudden coming of the Lord to judge the earth - by a worldwide flood, and by the destruction of sinful Sodom and Gomorrah. And both of them, because of their righteousness, were saved from disaster and became God's instruments in renewing His covenant with His creation.

It is significant that we read this passage now, as we come to the end of the Church's year. The challenge for us is to turn our thoughts to the end of our lives. We, like Noah and Lot, should live always ready for death and judgement - not fearful but well-focussed, not postponing until tomorrow (which may never come for us) the focussing of our lives and hearts on the true meaning of our short life here on earth.