I hope that in the light of today's reading you would agree with me, that one of the most surprising things about Christianity is that so many people think that it's possible to predict to any degree the date or circumstances of Jesus' return. His words, as reported by Matthew could hardly be clearer: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (24v36) He goes on to compare his coming to the time of Noah's flood, when everyone, except Noah, was taken completely by surprise, and to give the parable of the thief in the night. People get robbed because they don't know when the thief is coming - if they did they would be there to stop him. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (24v44) So I think it is actually plain, according to Jesus, that any attempt to predict the date of his return, or to discern signs which will make it obvious that he's about to arrive, are doomed to failure.
The confusion arises because, as I said a couple of weeks ago, Matthew, Mark & Luke in their parallel chapters mix together Jesus' answers to two questions - "what signs will accompany his return?", and "when will the temple in Jerusalem be destroyed?". Jesus gives clear signs about the latter, which enabled Christians in AD 70 to escape the worst of the suffering then, but says there are no signs which will clearly indicate the time of his return. His return will be visible to everyone, "as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (24v27), but its date is unknown. Indeed it is the very fact that Jesus return, whilst certain, is at an unknown time, that provides an incentive for us to live aright in the light of that truth. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (24v42) The promised return of Jesus to wrap up history on earth and inaugurate the eternity beyond is a source of hope - not even our capacity to destroy the world can interfere with God's plans, but it's also a call to us to live aright. So let's hear what St. Paul has to say about this: Bible:Romans+13:11-14.
The consistent message of the New Testament is that since Jesus is going to return at a moment we can't know we should live as though he was returning at any moment, such that he'd be pleased to find us doing whatever we are doing. Paul says our way of life should not need hiding in the dark (= 'deeds of darkness'). We must not indulge in indecent behaviour, of which we'd be ashamed before Jesus' gaze. We should not gratify the desires of our sinful nature, but should live like Jesus did (= 'clothe yourselves with Jesus').
He also tells us to wake up, rather than drifting off to sleep because Jesus' return seems delayed. Does the thought of Jesus' return challenge and inspire you to live in such a way that he'll be pleased with whatever you are doing at any moment? If not, please pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire you with that perspective. We should, as Mary Ellen underlined for us last week, be glad to take every opportunity to serve Jesus now, so as to please him. What can you do to please Jesus? What service can you give through the Church, in your home, at your workplace, to your family, friends, acquaintance? In what ways should you be growing in your relationship with Jesus, so as to be ready to greet him?

"There was a meeting of the board of directors going on in hell. Satan was concerned over the fact that business was not increasing. He wanted to reach as many people as possible, and draw them into hell. One demon jumped up and said: 'I'll go back to earth and convince the people that there is no heaven.' 'That won't do,' said Satan. 'We've tried it before and it doesn't work.' 'I'll convince them that there is no hell,' offered a second demon. 'No, that doesn't work either,' said Satan. A wise old veteran in the back of the room rose and said, 'If you let me go back to earth, I can fill this place. I'll just convince them that there is no hurry.'" (Castle 1 p.127)

1. Prepare for Jesus return by sharing the good news of God's love.
When St. Peter wrote his second letter he addressed concerns that Jesus' return had not yet taken place, which led some to scoff at the idea. He said, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3v9) So we should see Jesus' return as an opportunity to share the gospel with others, so they can repent, put their trust in Jesus, and so be sure of a joyous reunion with him when he comes. The bible clearly warns us that those who reject Jesus and live selfish, and therefore sinful lives will not find a welcome in heaven - that warning is most clearly given by Jesus himself. We do not know what will happen to those who have not had a real opportunity to respond to Jesus, though we are assured that God will deal with them justly. But we can, on Jesus' authority, promise paradise to all who turn to Christ in repentance and faith. So we must, in the light of his possible return at any moment, seize every opportunity to share the Christian message with others so they can be saved. Of course there are other vital reasons for sharing God's message with others too, but this is one which the bible underlines in several places.

2. Prepare for Jesus return by prioritising God's kingdom & values.
In his famous words in Matthew 6v33, Jesus challenges us, "seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness". We have a lamentable tendency to give our best energies to concerns which have no relevance beyond death & Jesus' return. Food, clothes, money, fame, success, entertainment, all sorts of things, whilst not inherently wrong, consume too much of our time and drive. There is a place for other things, like enjoying God's world and its culture, but these things mustn't get too important. Jesus promises that if we put first building God's kingdom, that means the extension of his rule in people lives, through their committing to him, and in the world, through God's values of love, justice, peace, and so on being spread, then he will look after our material needs. When Jesus returns he will reward those who have made his values the goal of their lives. St. Paul explains to the Corinthians that, "no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day (of Jesus' return) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Cor. 3v11-15) The return of Jesus should inspire us to give our best energies to helping others to faith, to establishing justice in the world, to meeting the needs of other people, and to seeking God's grace to make our own lives holier, more like that of Jesus so we are fit to share eternity with him. Jesus frequently warns us of the dangers of living selfishly - indeed today's gospel reading is followed by a warning story about a servant in charge of others, who selfishly misuses his position because his master is absent for a long while, who is punished for his wickedness, a parable directed at us who have so much of the world's resources. Let us be sure in the light of Jesus' return that we use well our opportunities, that we give our best energies to what is eternal, and so are ready to meet him with joy and a clear conscience. Won't it be wonderful if we can hear Jesus say to us the words of his parable of the talents in Matthew 25, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (25v21, 23)?
The promise of Jesus is that one day he will return to wrap up the affairs of this world, and inaugurate his eternal kingdom of justice, peace, joy and love. It will be home to all who have put their trust in him, turned to him in repentance and faith, and allowed his Holy Spirit to get to work on their characters to make them people who will feel at home there. Those who have died in the faith of Christ will rise to new life to share that eternity with those of his followers still alive at his 2nd coming. We do not know when that return will occur, but he has promised that it is certain. Let us then make the best of the life we have ahead to prepare for his coming,
By sharing the good news of his love with others,
By living holy lives which please him,
By prioritising for kingdom values in our lives,
By serving others in love,
By putting Jesus first in every aspect of our daily lives.
The we will be ready and delighted by his return, or if death takes us first, glad to meet him beyond it, confident of his welcome.