FAITH IN A SAVING GOD

November 25, Thursday

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

      Today’s story of the first reading is not historical but edifying. It applies again to Antiochus IV “Epiphanes,” who obliged the people in his kingdom to pray only to his god, Baal-Zeus, of whom he pretended to be the manifestation. Of course, the Jews (Daniel) contested this order.

      The destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of disaster in nature are for us signs of the trials of the Christian life and of the difficult coming of God’s kingdom among people. But let us not forget that we ourselves too, delay this kingdom, by our selfishness, our hunger for power, all the evil we cause one another. Yet, our meager efforts will help to bring salvation nearer. With the help of Christ present among us, we can grow in love, forgiveness, compassion, and peace. We should keep our heads raised in hope.

 

First Reading: Daniel 6:12-28

Then they said, “Daniel, one of the Jewish exiles, ignores you, O king, and defies your decree. Three times a day he prays.”

At this, the king was very upset and tried his best to get Daniel out of the fix he’d put him in. He worked at it the whole day long.

But then the conspirators were back: “Remember, O king, it’s the law of the Medes and Persians that the king’s decree can never be changed.”

The king caved in and ordered Daniel brought and thrown into the lions’ den. But he said to Daniel, “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.”

A stone slab was placed over the opening of the den. The king sealed the cover with his signet ring and the signet rings of all his nobles, fixing Daniel’s fate.

The king then went back to his palace. He refused supper. He couldn’t sleep. He spent the night fasting.

At daybreak the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. As he approached the den, he called out anxiously, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve so loyally, saved you from the lions?”

“O king, live forever!” said Daniel. “My God sent his angel, who closed the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. I’ve been found innocent before God and also before you, O king. I’ve done nothing to harm you.”

When the king heard these words, he was happy. He ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. When he was hauled up, there wasn’t a scratch on him. He had trusted his God.

Then the king commanded that the conspirators who had informed on Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. Before they hit the floor, the lions had them in their jaws, tearing them to pieces.

King Darius published this proclamation to every race, color, and creed on earth:

Peace to you! Abundant peace!
    I decree that Daniel’s God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom.
    He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls.
    His rule continues eternally.
    He is a savior and rescuer.
    He performs astonishing miracles in heaven and on earth.
    He saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

From then on, Daniel was treated well during the reign of Darius, and also in the following reign of Cyrus the Persian.

 

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

“When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you’ll know that she is about to be devastated. If you’re living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you’re in the city, get out quickly. If you’re out in the fields, don’t go home to get your coat. This is Vengeance Day—everything written about it will come to a head. Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Incredible misery! Torrential rage! People dropping like flies; people dragged off to prisons; Jerusalem under the boot of barbarians until the nations finish what was given them to do.

“It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

“And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”

 

Prayer

Lord our God,
we are your people on the march
who try to carry out the task
of giving shape to your kingdom of love and peace.
When we are discouraged and afraid,
keep us going forward in hope.
Make us vigilant in prayer,
that we may see the signs of your Son’s coming.
Let Jesus walk with us already now
on the road he has shown us,
that he may lead us to you,
our living God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Reflection:

Do not miss the opportunities to trust, to love and to forgive

At first glance, the words of Jesus would seem contradictory. Chapter 21 of Luke begins by narrating the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the persecution of the people. But the Lord would comfort his disciples and encourages them not to be afraid, but remain faithful to God. He promises them that God would put the appropriate words in their mouths when they are taken before the court or the synagogues.

But, in today’s passage, the message takes a turn: he recommends them to flee from the city and take refuge in the mountains when their city is besieged. The Gospel sounds like description of destruction and misfortunes.

Historical notes from the time of the first century records that the siege of Jerusalem was an immediate result of armed revolt against the Romans by the Zealots. But, many Christians living in the city did not join the zealots and refused to choose violence and take up arms against the Romans; instead they fled to the hills to avoid the Roman assault. Their non-violent stance and faith in Jesus meant that they were hated by all. The city was totally destroyed and the temple was burnt down. When Luke wrote his Gospel, it was already 10-20 years after the destruction of the temple and the author could very well relate the prophesy of Jesus with the actual development of the events.

The apocalyptic language that Jesus uses, about the Son of Man coming in cloud” is something which he picks up from chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel. “Then they will see the ‘Son of Man coming in cloud’ with power and great glory” (Daniel 7.11-14). By the time Luke wrote his Gospel, Christians had come to a profound realisation that the Son of Man of the prophesy of Daniel was Christ himself who has overcome torture and death, and now comes in clouds with power and great glory.
The struggles and pains of our daily lives must be seen as opportunities to bear witness to Christ, to become fully human like him, to trust, to love and to forgive. The challenge we face every day as disciples of Christ is to become alert to the “coming of the Son of Man.” The Gospel gives us an invitation to watch-out and to be alert so that we do not miss those opportunities to receive the Son of Man – when he comes.
Our call and destiny are to grow into Alter-Christus – another Christ, to actualise our God-given capacities to trust, to love and to forgive. Be on alert so that we do not miss out those opportunities.

 

Video available on Youtube: Do not miss the opportunities to trust, to love and to forgive