November 27, 2009
Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
By Melanie Rigney
As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, he received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
“Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (Daniel 3:75)
Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:29-33)
Piety
Lord, open my eyes to hear Your Word amid the cacophony that is my daily life. For all of it, good and bad, ultimately will go away—except You.
Study
This time of year is full of joy—and pressure and disappointment. Are you bubbling over at the prospect of hosting a great Advent brunch for your parish friends or group reunion? Are you wondering how in the world you’ll find the money you need to buy Christmas presents? Did the one relative who didn’t show up ruin your Thanksgiving?
None of it matters.
Really, it doesn’t. It will all pass away, as Luke says in today’s Gospel. It’s Christ’s words—the parables, the lessons, the promises of redemption and resurrection—that last.
According to the New American Bible, the Book of Daniel, from which two readings are taken today, was among the apocalyptic writings popular from 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. “… Apocalyptic literature has its roots in the teaching of the prophets, who often pointed ahead to the day of the Lord, the consummation of history,” NAB’s introduction to the Book says. “For both prophet and apocalyptist Yahweh was the Lord of history, and he ultimately would vindicate his people.”
It was that faith in vindication that believers clung to amid persecution and distress. It was delivered in Christ. May that faith sustain us during our own stressful times, good and bad, large and small, as we prepare to celebrate Advent and the Savior’s coming.
Action
Carve out some quiet time in the coming weeks to contemplate how faith sustains you through the busyness of the Christmas season. Consider attending Arlington Cursillo’s “A Promise Kept” Advent Quiet Night next Tuesday, December 1, at the Missionhurst Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit www.arlingtoncursillo.org for more information.
