As our Christian church year nears the end of another annual cycle, our scripture readings this week confront us with questions of what we expect at, or even after, "the end" -- God's coming fulfilment of all things. The tone of this week's readings is, admittedly, a bit ominous. But the promise still stands: the promise of God's abiding presence in the midst of turmoil. In the meantime, we shall not weary in doing what is right.