In today’s scripture, Jesus reminds us of the coming of the Son of Man, a future event that is beyond our knowing. But what stands out most in this passage is Jesus’ declaration that no one, not even the angels, can know the day or the hour of this event. Yet, we are given signs—the fig tree, the heavens in turmoil, and so many others. Why? Why do we have signs for something that is beyond our understanding and comprehension? What the signs are here to remind us of our fragile, mortal nature and the ultimate destiny to meet the Lord during his Second coming. Jesus’ message could be warning us against the human tendency to forget that we are not invincible, to live as though we’ll never die. He calls us to be vigilant, not in trying to predict the end, but in remembering the fragility of life itself.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest recorded story of human history. As king, Gilgamesh had it all—wealth, power, and honor. Yet when his beloved friend Enkidu died, he became obsessed with the idea of escaping death. His quest for immortality consumed him, but in the end, he realized that immortality is for the gods. Like Gilgamesh, even though we know our mortality, we often avoid facing it directly until life forces us to.

This ancient story is so relevant today because so many of us avoid or deny our own mortality. Only personal tragedies or moments of great loss seem to shake us awake to this truth. In modern society, we cover up aging, sickness, and death. We surround ourselves with comfort, pleasure, and security, hoping to keep the inevitable out of our minds. We would rather focus on the temporary joys of life—health, success, and happiness—because the fragility of life feels too heavy to carry. But what if this avoidance leads us away from the very truth that Jesus urges us to confront? The signs Jesus speaks of are not there to frighten us but to remind us that everything we rely on in this world is temporary. These are the signs meant to draw us back to the reality of our limited time and our need for God.