DAILY- HOMILY

November 26, 2015 THURSDAY, 34th Week in Ordinary Time

St. John Berchmans, Religious       

Memorial, White

Dn 6:12 – 28 / Lk 21:20 - 28              

[St. John Berchmans (1599 – 1621) was a Jesuit seminarian from Belgium especially known for his devoted observance of the rules of Jesuit religious life.]

Reading: Dn 6:12 – 28

     So they went to the king and reminded him about the prohibition, "O king, did you not publish a decree that anyone who prays or makes petition to any god or man except to you would be thrown into the lions' den?"

     The king answered, "Yes, and the decree stands, in accordance with Medo-Persian laws which cannot be altered or annulled."

     Then they said, "But the Jewish exile Daniel pays no attention to you and to your decree. Three times a day he still prays to some god other than you."

     Greatly aggrieved at what he heard, the king decided to help Daniel. He made every effort till sundown to save him.

     But the men kept coming to him and insisting, "Remember, O king, that under the Medo-Persian laws every decree or prohibition issued by the king is irrevocable."

     The king, therefore, could not help giving the order that Daniel be brought and thrown into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve faithfully, save you."

     A stone was placed at the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with that of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might remain unchanged. Then the king returned to his palace and spent a sleepless night, refusing food and entertainment. Very early next morning, he rose and hurried to the lions' den. As he came near he called in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, did your God whom you serve faithfully save you from the lions?"

     Daniel answered, "Live forever, O king! My God sent his angel who closed the lions' mouths so that they did not hurt me. God did that because I am innocent in his sight. Neither have I wronged you, O king."

  The king felt very glad and ordered Daniel released from the lions' den. No wound was found on him for he had trusted in his God. At the king's order, the men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the lions' den, together with their wives and children. No sooner had they reached the floor of the den than the lions lunged at them and tore them to pieces.

     King Darius wrote to the nations,to peoples of every language, "Peace to you all! I decree that throughout my kingdom people should reverence and fear the God of Daniel.

     "For he is the living God, and forever he endures; his kingdom will not be crushed, his dominion will never cease. He rescues and he delivers; he performs signs and wonders both in heaven and on earth. And he came to Daniel's rescue saving him from the lions' tooth and claw." 

     Daniel greatly prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Gospel: Lk 21:20 - 28 

     Jesus said, "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. 

     Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city.

     For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

     Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

     Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near." 

Reflection:

     In the first reading we see God's protective providence for the prophet Daniel which led King Darius to decree that all "should reverence and fear the God of Daniel. 'For he is the living God, and forever he endures; his kingdom will not be crushed, his dominion will never cease. He rescues and he delivers; he performs signs and wonders both in heaven and on earth. And he came to Daniel's rescue saving him from the lions' tooth and claw.' " (Dn 6: 26 – 27)

     In the Gospel reading today Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Jewish nation. Then he shifts and speaks of the end of time and of "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

     Jesus does not tell us when the end will come. We do not know how the end will come. What we do know is that it will come; "at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

     "When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on the throne of his Glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right and the goats in his left." (Mt 25" 31- 33)

     What is truly important for us is to live such that we will hear his welcome, "Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world" (Mt 25: 34) and not his condemnation, "Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." (Mt 25: 41)

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     CHERRY RICANOR

     FLYNN DOMINIC A. SAW

     JOANALYN N. SANTIAGO

     TONY CHOA

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     CARLOS & CARREN J. PINEDA

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     CHAN TAT MIN

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the healing and fast recovery of Fr. Bill McGarry S.J., Rosalie Imperial and Joshua Solis

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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