34th Week, Saturday, Nov 27
Daniel 7:15-27 / Luke 21:34-36
These words, on a plaque at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, describe the Pilgrims who came ashore there: “Here, under cover of darkness, the fast-dwindling company laid their dead, leveling the earth above them lest the Indians learn how many were the graves. History records no nobler venture for faith and freedom than this Pilgrim band.” The same could be said of every member of that countless army of believers who have remained true to their faith during the many religious persecutions that have dyed the pages of history red.
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How faithful are we in remaining true to our faith in the ordinary humdrum of daily life? President Lincoln sent this telegram to Grant during the Battle of Vicksburg on August 17, 1864: "Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew and choke as much as possible.”
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The vision of the author of the book of Daniel confirms that, however terrifying the persecutions of the Syrian king, God has the final say in history, evil will be overcome, and God’s powers of goodness will be victorious.
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For most of us, it does not really matter, but today is the last day of the church liturgical calendar, the last day of the liturgical Year B. And this evening's liturgy begins with the new cycle of Year C and it starts off with Advent. But it does not really matter to most of us except that the Sunday Missals for the new cycle must be prepared and ready at the pews. So, day by day, life passes on, and year by year, seasons come and go with such monotony that our lives may seem to be going on routine and our hearts are not that excited anymore. Our hearts may not be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of this world, but we may feel tired by the everyday routine and monotony of having to be caregivers or service providers or just having to give-give-give and not getting much in return.
Or like Daniel in the 1st reading, our hearts may be deeply disturbed by what is happening to our careers, our future, our families, our spouse, our children. But as we come to the last day of the liturgical year and before we begin a new one, let us with grateful hearts give thanks to God for His blessings and let us also stay awake, praying at all times with hope in the abundant blessings that are to come.
Indeed, the end is also the beginning, and as we end off the liturgical Year B with thanksgiving, let us begin the liturgical Year C with praying. It is a new beginning. It matters because Jesus came to renew all things and to make all things new. Let us then pray for a new heart and a new hope.
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Still, the Gospel: warns us. We may not choose the easy way of indifference or evil. We shall have to give an account to the Son of Man. We have to be watchful so that we can stand before him with confidence. But our hope is great. We are a people of hope.
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The Gospel of today provides certain conditions to prepare for the Day of the Lord. The first condition is to keep a calm mind and detached heart; a calm mind will find the right equilibrium between the necessities of the present moment and the anxieties of the future; a detached heart will follow Christian convictions rather than look for immediate and temporary satisfaction. The second condition is vigilance and prayer. Vigilance helps us to avoid moments of spiritual ruin and to be prudent. Prayer helps us to strengthen our faith and hope in our relationship with God. Prayer is also a great weapon to overcome temptations and turmoil, which precede the final eschatology. A perfect example of vigilance and prayer is shown by Jesus during his agony in Gethsemane contrasting with the drowsiness of his disciples. Hence, with a calm mind, detached heart, by watching and praying, let us remain ready for the Day of the Lord.
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Prayer
Our saving God, long ago you sent your Son Jesus, among us, but we have been too little aware of his presence and we hide him from others. Wake us up, make us recognize him, that he may be the light of our lives and that we may eagerly lead people to him. May he build up among us and with us a world and a kingdom of peace and love where we serve you in one another, as we move forward in hope to your home of endless joy and rest. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
