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Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
November 17, 2025
Hugh of Lincoln
Reading: Mark 13:32-37
‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
I remember those days in school when, similar to a fire drill, we had drills to prepare for a nuclear attack. These began shortly after the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. It lasted for twelve days, October 16 to October 28. It terrified me to the point that after a summer trip to Canada the next summer I was so taken with the Thousand Islands that I thought I would buy one to live on. I decided not to have a radio, television,or telephone. I did not want newspapers or magazines. If the world was going to end due to a nuclear holocaust, I would go with it blissfully ignorant of the impending horror. I imagine, had I lived in the first century, I might have been fearful of the apocalypse. Would I have fallen victim to the belief that such literature was intended to frighten its readers at that age, when such literature had the opposite intent? This passage gives one hope and strength in remaining faithful.
Apocalyptic literature sought to encourage those living in ancient communities to remain faithful. These writings were intended to give congregations the theological confidence to endure until the apocalypse and the coming Reign of God. That is the intention of this chapter in Mark’s gospel, that is, to give the people the needed perspective to endure until the apocalypse, when those members would be gathered into the final and full manifestation of the realm of God.
Just as most of us can detect when summer is coming by noticing the changes taking place all around them in nature in any of the seasons, so people will recognize the signs of the impending apocalypse. But the people must be resolute in their belief and commitment to God, because the present world will not end and the suffering will not be over until “all these things have taken place.” (Mark 13:30-31)
We humans cannot definitely know when the apocalypse will take place. It is not ours to know, for that knowledge belongs to God alone. And here is when each human being will have to rely heavily, if not, solely on one’s faith in God. It is for us to remain faithful. It may mean that what the members do during this time of waiting will be judged. What should bolster one’s belief and faithfulness is holding fast to the belief that God is present in every moment. God offers to each situation the best qualities for life of the coming rule that are possible, given all the circumstances of each and every moment. And so take seriously the caution that Mark offers: the transition from this world as it is to the world as it can be may be difficult and possibly chaotic. Nonetheless, in such times we must endure. God is always present to offer to us the strength and power to endure.
Prayer for Protection
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of your servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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