Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement…. In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, (the King) found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom. (Daniel 1: 8, 20)
He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Luke 21: 3-4)
Piety
Grant me, Lord, the wisdom of Daniel who knew how to be true to you despite the daily trials and allures of daily life. Grant me Lord the charity of the poor woman who knew that You gave her the daily bread that sustains her life. Grant me, Lord, the desire to exult you like the psalmist who sings “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” Grant me, Lord, You above all else.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/112607.shtml
Who is “of faith”? Daniel and friends resisted temptation even though to give in might mean survival. Daniel served the king who brought down his nation. He knew it was within the movement of his heart where fidelity to his God lay. But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. … and so they entered the king’s service (Daniel 1: 8, 19) Can we love those who seek to bring down our way of life, perhaps our country?
Thanksgiving: did we give thanks out of our abundance? Did we stretch our generosity until it hurt, like the widow did? Did we make room for others whether they were lonely, hungry, annoying or those with whom we do not agree – those who perhaps lead a life that we do not approve of? God’s love is generous and kind, unearned by the unlovable. Can we give to those we find unlovable? And after they leave, do we talk about them to justify and announce our own generosity?
What occurs when we can love as Jesus, even in a small, short-term way is that our hearts are opened and drawn ever closer to Jesus. Perhaps it is because we pray every five minutes for patience! Focusing on God at each moment brings us to a deeper understanding of God’s place in our – and others’ – hearts. Perhaps we experience an unexpected joy or peace. Perhaps it is in the realization that Jesus lovingly watches us put our two small coins into the offering box.
Action
We await Advent! We await the joy and promise of the Nativity. Today, think of someone who has trouble with that joy and promise. Picture someone you know, or someone you don’t know. Imagine someone imprisoned in her own sorrow unable to accept love from others; someone angry enough to hurt others; someone so misguided by “teachers” that terrorism is accepted as an answer; someone whose bad choices have left him with seemingly no choice and no hope even in God; someone who has rejected God because of the sins of church leaders. Put that person (named or unnamed, Jesus will know) in your heart and pray all day for him/her. Let God use your love, hope and faith for another.
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