When Pigs Fly

I didn't grow up on a farm, but my Dad did, so we got all sorts of wonderful phrases out of him, from "Hay is for Horses, " "Dirt is just soil in the wrong place," and "When pigs fly." The last one, I believe, was uttered when I suggested that I might need a new car when I turned 16.



The thing is, I don't think Dad did much in the way of raising pigs. Or at least he wasn't looking when momma pig was trying to wean particularly persistent piglets. My middle son got caught in the middle when the pig did fly, right into the side of his face. Apparently weaning piglets are pretty big, and pretty dirty. Jonah came home from the farm with mud on his cheek, in his hair and down the front of his shirt. Ouch!! and Uugh!!

Along with "once in a blue moon" and "when pigs fly", "God only knows" is one of those times that's never really supposed to happen, so don't even think about getting ready for it, or even getting excited about the possibility of, say, a brand new car.

Jesus gives the same answer when the disciples ask about the when the end of the world is coming. God only knows when the Son of Man will come again.

Matthew 24:37-42

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming."

This time, Jesus reminds us that God Does know! God just isn't telling anyone else. It's a secret, but it will happen, so wake up and be ready.

People will be eating and sleeping, working and slacking off, right up until the moment Jesus returns. I remember being sure that Jesus would appear in the corner of my third grade classroom, as well as my brother's 1st grade classroom, and at home with mom, all at the same time. We'd better be ready!

We pray for it each week, and especially in Advent.

Stir up your power, oh Lord, and Come!

amen