The first reading tells of the harvesting of the earth, the gathering of the wheat and the casting away into the "winepress of God's wrath" This image of the harvest and of the vintage is an appropriate one for the end of time. It makes us pause and ponder how the quality of our lives and faith will be judged.

Jesus tells of the signs that will mark the time for the harvesting, the end of time. He also warns people not to be misled into following false signs. We never really know the time or place. Our lot is to be watchful and be prepared.

There are times when we may be anxious of the 'end' that is to come. However, in trying to anticipate or predict the 'end' the energies and attention given to it are all misspent. Jesus does not want us to be preoccupied with worrying about when the 'end" is to be. Rather He left us with a goal towards which to live. Since we do not know the end, we may perhaps want to live as though it is near. The question is not "can we see it coming" - but "is the way we are living our lives preparing us to meet the end?"