34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
1st Reading: Rev 15:1-4
Then, I saw another great and marvelous sign in the heavens: seven angels brought seven plagues, which are the last, for with these, the wrath of God will end. There was a sea of crystal, mingled with fire, and the conquerors of the beast, of its name and the mark of its name stood by it.
They had been given the celestial harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord, God and Master of the universe. Justice and truth guide your steps, O King of the nations.
Lord, who will not give honor and glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and bow before you, for they have now seen your judgments.
Gospel: Lk 21:12-19
Before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the synagogues and put in prison, and for my sake you will be brought before kings and governors. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to say, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. But even though, because of my name, you will be hated by everyone, not a hair of your head will perish. By your patient endurance you will save your souls.
Reflections
Jesus warns his own disciples. He speaks of abuse and persecution. “They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons…” However, he assures them not to fear or be anxious. When the time comes, they will know what to do and what to say. He will tell them what to say and how to answer. A promise that has been vindicated again and again. One thinks of, in our own time, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Maximilian Kolbe, Bishop Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa and many others. Their memories are treasured and become an inspiration to all of us to follow their example. The constant challenge is to have the courage to be true to our Christian values whatever the cost. Let us not be surprised that our faith can create such anger, hostility, and total rejection. At the same time, we reach out continually in truth and mercy to bring healing and reconciliation among us. We must try hard to help people see where real truth and goodness lie. And we do that by seeking for that in our own lives. We are constantly invited to live out the wisdom which God gives and not out of fear and anxiety. Stay in touch with the depths, the Spirit who dwells within us in good and difficult times.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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