34th Week, Saturday, Dec 2: Saint Bibiana
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 spouses, and 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, and 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
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34th Week, Friday, Dec 1;
Daniel 7:2-14 / Luke 21:29-33
Daniel had a remarkable vision; He saw a being coming on the clouds.
Daniel says, “As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven.” The Gospels refer to Jesus by the title son of man” no less than 69 times. The most striking reference comes when Jesus is standing trial for his life. The high priest asks, “Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?" Jesus replies, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.' Mark 14:61-62
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What are we doing right now to prepare for Jesus' coming at the end of time? “They will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory. But of that day or hour, no one knows.' Mark 13:26, 32
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In the famous chapter 7 of Daniel, a mysterious “Son of Man” (a human being) is announced. Is he an individual or a community? He belongs to both earth and heaven and will inaugurate a kingdom that comes as a gift from God, not as an earthly conquest. Jesus will apply this title to himself and purify it. The empires built on power and godlessness are ridiculed: they are statues with feet of clay, or like monstrous animals. God will judge them, so they will disappear.
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It is often said that what we see is what we get. But on the other hand, there is always more than meets the eye. What we see will give us first impressions and opinions. But when we start to think about it, we will discover deeper meanings and even the mystery behind it.
The 1st reading talked about Daniel seeing visions in the night. That might already give us some ideas of the meaning of those visions might be. For one, it would not be that clear in its meanings because the night has always been mysterious and things cannot be seen clearly and there is always something hidden. But what is obvious is the power struggle of the earthly kingdoms and the rise and fall of empires. But as Daniel gazed into the visions of the night, he saw something more than just earthly. Coming from the clouds of heaven was one who was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and his empire shall never pass away nor will it be destroyed. It was like a vision within a vision, something more than meets the eye.
In the gospel, Jesus used the buds of a fig tree to tell us that there is something more than just summer is near. It is the kingdom of God that is breaking forth and manifesting itself in the midst of the ordinary.
Yes, there is always something more than meets the eye. If we don't see a deeper meaning in it, if we don't see the kingdom of God happening in it, we may just be settling for something less.
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The faithful should keep hope in patience: God’s kingdom is near. There are not only tensions and conflicts inside God’s people and from outside: there are also signs of hope, and we should see these signs.
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Through the symbolism of the fig tree and other trees, we are invited to read the signs of the time and comprehend the message that Jesus imparts through his discourses. The seasons of the year bring changes in trees and plants. There is a season when they shed leaves; this is the time for pruning. Only after a period of struggle and maturation does a tree produce fruit. In the same way, the life of a Christian must go through the seasons of maturation to produce abundant fruit. After presenting these teachings from nature, Jesus reiterates that his words are alive and active and that they do not contain doubts and uncertainties. Hence it is expedient to take his words seriously and, facing the seasons of our life, produce good, timely and abundant fruit.
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Opening Prayer
God of the ages and of eternity, you have entrusted to us, your people, your project about people and the world. Do not allow us to delay your plans by our own limitations. Make us aware that all we can do is being a leaven and a sign that the seed you have sown will grow. Keep us hoping in patience, that integrity, love and justice will come in your own good time as a gift from you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
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Dec 02, Sat
Saint Bibiana (Virgin and Martyr) (c. 363)
The Church of Saint Bibiana in Rome, said to have been dedicated by Pope Saint Simplicius and to have contained her body, has existed since the fifth century.
A Roman native, Bibiana was the daughter of a zealous Christian named Flavian, ex-prefect of the city, and his equally devout wife, Dafros. Apprehended on account of his Christian beliefs Flavian was burned in the face with hot iron and banished to Acquapendente, where he died of his wounds. Dafrosa was on the same account confined to her house for some time before being beheaded. Bibiana and her sister, Demetria, deprived of all they had in the world, spent five months in their own house, fasting and praying.
Summoned by Apronianus, Governor of Rome, during the reign of Julian the Apostate, Demetria boldly confessed her faith before falling dead in the presence of the Governor. Bibiana was ordered to be given over to a crafty woman named Rufina, who undertook to bring her to another way of thinking but to no avail! And while they failed to lure Bibiana away from her faith and chastity, blows were found to be fruitless too.
She was then scourged at the pillar with leaden plummets till she breathed her last. The body of this saint who had undergone torture so cheerfully, was left out in the open to be eaten by scavenging dogs, none of whom however dared touch it. Having thus lain exposed for two days, it was buried at night by a priest named John in the very house where lay the remains of her mother and sister, near the palace of Licinius.
Reflection: “It is certain that whatever happens, takes place by the Divine Will” (Saint Alphonsus de Liguori).
