We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.
- Thomas Aquinas -
(How does this speak to you? What do those who disagree with you help you to learn?)
|
Dn 2:31-45; Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61
Lk 21:5-11
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Reflection on the Scriptures
During this last week of Ordinary Time, we have readings that speak of dark times and yet offer comfort that the chaos and division is not the final end. The good news, and this week, all point to the celebration of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
The good news is that we've been saved. The victory over all the forces of evil has been won. There has been, and will continue to be, darkness. Bad things happen. The truth is distorted. Conflicts seem to reign. Loved ones get sick and die. Our planet is in peril and it seems unsure if we can save it. Children die every day of unspeakable poverty and hunger. Each of us could add to the list of discouraging, hope
shattering bad news.
But we are people of faith. We turn to Jesus, not as one who undoes all the immediate effects of the darkness of sin and resistance to his way, but as one who comes as light in the midst of our darkness. He is our hope, when all seems hopeless. As we wrap up the old year, we can hear themes of the new year of hope - the Season of Advent. We can faintly hear the chant, "A Time Will Come for
Singing."
The good news is, of course, about the victory over sin and death that Jesus won for us all on the Cross. We will have eternal life. As a gift. But, the good news is also that we can have consolation and comfort in this life, here and now, by knowing that we are not alone. Jesus is always with us. We can be people of courage with this faith. People who are not dis-couraged, but en-couraged by his accompaniment with
us.
- by Andy Alexander, S.J.
The Son of God Became Human
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part One, Section Two, Chapter Three
Article 8: I Believe in the Holy Spirit
IV. THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Christ Jesus
730 At last Jesus' hour arrives:117 he commends his spirit into the Father's hands118 at the very moment when by his death he conquers death, so that, "raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,"119 he might immediately give the Holy Spirit by "breathing" on his disciples.120 From this hour onward, the mission of Christ and the Spirit becomes the mission of the Church: "As the Father has sent me, even so
I send you."121
(Footnote references in the Catechism.)
|
|
