Mark 13:24-37 (NRSV)
Read Mark 13:24-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24"But in those days, after that suffering,
Verse 28"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Verse 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Verse 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Verse 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Verse 32"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. Verse 34It 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. Verse 35Therefore, 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, Verse 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. Verse 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
Devotion
Throughout Mark 13, Jesus speaks to a deep human resistance: we can’t control God. Not only do we not know when God is coming, but we do not know where or how. And we certainly do not know what God will do—and the more we think we know, the wider off the mark we are likely to be! Yet this ignorance is actually a great gift. Abraham Heschel writes that human beings are endowed with the ability to know that there is more than what they know.” Not knowing the exact details of God’s arrival frees us to trust God with a different kind of knowing: that God is in charge. It also frees us to celebrate the season of Advent throughout the year, in every time and place in our lives. The redemptive promise of Advent is not limited to Advent! God comes and will come, and come again ... with fresh, mysterious and unexpected forays into the world.
Prayer
God, trusting you in divine and joyful unknowing is so good. Thank you. Amen.