And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars,
and upon the earth
(there will be) distress
among the nations
confused
by the sound
of sea and waves,
people will be fainting from fear
and from the expectation of what is coming to the world,
and then they will see
the Son of Man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory.
Then as these things begin to happen
look up
and raise your heads
because your redemption is near.
And he told them a parable:
Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
When they put out their leaves,
you, yourselves, watch and know
that summer is near.
In the same way,
when you see these things happening
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Truly I tell you
in no way,
will this generation pass away
until all these things have happened.
Heaven and earth will pass away
but my words will never ever pass away.
Watch out for yourselves
so that your hearts may not be weighed down
with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life
and that day come upon you suddenly
as a snare.
For it will come all who live upon the whole earth
so be alert at all times
praying to escape all things about to happen
and to stand before the Son of Man.
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us;
that with all our heart and mind
and soul and strength we may seek thy face
and be brought by thine infinite mercy
to thy holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alcuin (735-804)