ACC ~ Mark 13 v37

FORMER GOOD DEEDS UNPROFITABLE

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTIONS: Watch therefore, and pray, that you do not sleep unto death. [1] For your former good deeds will not profit you if in the end of your life you go astray from the true faith. [2] CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 7.2.31. [3]

[1] Cf. Lk 21:36.

[2] Cf. Ezek 18:24; 33:13; 1 Tim 1:18-19.

[3] PG 1:1021; ANF 7:471.

HIS SECOND COMING

AUGUSTINE: The first coming of Christ the Lord, God’s Son and our God, was in obscurity. The second will be in sight of the whole world. When he came in obscurity, no one recognized him but his own servants. When he comes openly, he will be known by both the good and the bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged. When he comes openly, it will be to judge. He was silent at his trial, as the prophet foretold. … Silent when accused, he will not be silent as judge. Even now he does not keep silent, if there is anyone to listen. But it says he will not keep silent then, because his voice will be acknowledged even by those who despise it. SERMONS 18.1-2. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0284, 18.41.7; JF B 10; PL 38, 128-29; cf. WSA 3 1:373, Sermon 18.1-2.

COMING SUDDENLY TO THOSE UNPREPARED

AUGUSTINE: Who are the “all” to whom he says this if not his elect and his beloved, the members of his body which is the church? [1] Therefore, he said this not only to those who then heard him speaking, but also to those who came after them and before us, as well as to us and to those who will come after us until his final coming. Is that day going to encounter only those currently living, or is anyone likely to say that these words are also addressed to the dead, when he says: “Watch, lest he comes suddenly and finds you asleep?” [2] Why, then, does he say to all what concerns only those who will then be living? For that day will come to every single one, when the day comes for him to leave this life, such as it is, to be judged on the last day. [3] For this reason, every Christian ought to watch lest the coming of the Lord find him unprepared. But the last day will find unprepared anyone whom this day will find unprepared. [4] This at least was certainly clear to the apostles. Even if the Lord did not come in their times, while they were still living here in the flesh, yet who would doubt that they watched most carefully and observed what he said to all, lest coming suddenly he might find them unprepared? LETTER 199, TO HESYCHIUS 3. [5]

[1] Col 1:18, 24.

[2] Mk 13:35-36.

[3] Cf. Jn 12:48.

[4] Cf. Mt 25:1-13.

[5] Cetedoc 0262, 199.57.1.246.13; FC 30:359*. We the living are also called to watch for his coming, as did the apostles.