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THE WORD

Dn 6: 12–28 / Lk 21: 20–28

Jesus said to his disciples, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. “Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The “end-time narratives” often treat us with pictures of calamities, unnatural phenomena and other frightening signs that do not exactly make us look forward to the great event. However, in today’s gospel text, we would do well not to gloss over the most important words of the reading: “... stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

When I’m not doing anything, I love to watch World War II documentaries on the History Channel. One scene is about a group of prisoners of war listening to BBC radio while awaiting the news on the anticipated march of the Allied forces to liberate them. While this was happening they could hear the bombings taking place in a desperate attempt to resist the Allied forces. Still, the prisoners raised their heads for they knew that redemption was at hand.

We are also in some way prisoners, prisoners of sin and death. We are constantly living in a battlefield of good and evil even as we remain hopeful about the coming of our own redemption. So, as we approach the end of the liturgical year, let us not be fearful about the calamities and disasters as depicted in our readings. Rather, let us focus on the joy over the knowledge that we will soon meet Jesus, either at our death or at Jesus’ Second Coming. Whenever that would be, let us be joyful for he comes to us as our Saviour who will deliver us from sin and death and bring us to a life of joy in his kingdom.

  • Elmer I. Ibarra, SVD (Sydney, Australia)

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

Dn 5: 1–6.13–14.16–17.23–28 / Lk 21: 12–19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Before [the end] happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The Lord has made it clear from the beginning that his followers will undergo persecutions within the family and in society but with perseverance, they will overcome all of these. One such follower is St. Catherine of Alexandria (AD 287 – AD 305), martyr and virgin, whose feastday we remember today.

She was born of noble birth and well educated in the sciences. When she was 18 years old, she was brought in the presence of Emperor Maximinus (AD 173 – AD 238), reportedly described as 8 feet 6 inches tall and was incredibly strong. (www.ancientromanemperors.net). St. Catherine upbraided him for his cruelty against the Christians and his worship of false gods. The emperor had his scholars pitted against her to convince her to return to the Roman pagan belief, but she emerged victorious in the debate and he himself was conquered by her eloquence. (http://en.wikipedia.org/) Eventually the empress mother, who heard about the extraordinary fate of the young maiden, visited her dungeon together with the commander of the imperial troops. They believed and yielded to the exhortations of St. Catherine and were baptized. The emperor was enraged beyond control and had her beheaded. Her body was brought to Mount Sinai where later on a church and monastery were built in her honor.

In spite of the persecutions against the Christian faith since its beginning, it has 32 per cent (https://www.catholicculture.org) share of the 7.06 billion people living in the planet.

The Church nowadays has experienced tremendous beatings and ridicules due to the misdemeanors of some of its clergy and laity that scandalized Church members and non-members alike. However, there are many who have made outstanding contributions for the international development of humanity. The Church is still an “indisputable leader in education and health services across the world. It has 140,000 schools, 18,000 clinics, 16,000 homes for the elderly and those with special needs, 12,000 nurseries, 10,000 orphanages, 37,000 centers of informal education, and 5,500 hospitals, 65 per cent of them located in developing countries.” (http://www.thetablet.co.uk/).

Pope Francis has this thought for you and me, “Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.”

  • Fr Joseph R. Suson, SVD (USC, Cebu City)

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

Dn 2: 31–45 / 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.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The end will come as certain as the dawn. As to when, Jesus said it is the Father’s business and not ours to worry about. But we have to prepare for this event not with fearful and trembling hearts but with joyful expectation.

God is faithful to his people and his faithfulness is without end. And in the plan of God, he has prepared a kingdom for his people.

God loves his people and his love is without end. His love lasts even when they turn away from him. Man’s disobedience has disfigured creation. His pride has led him to worship many idols, including himself. Man’s sins have caused so much suffering in the world. But although man has strayed from God, the love of God for man remains beyond our understanding. He will send his Son to us, and God’s mercy and love will triumph in the end.

God is faithful even if his people are not. He will save his people not by the power of his mighty hand but by his love which he has made manifest in Jesus.

The change will come from within us. Like a mustard seed, from its small beginning the Kingdom will grow until everything is filled with it.

Then the prophecy will be fulfilled, “There will not be left a stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” The monuments of the idols of man will be conquered by God’s faithfulness and love. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, for the old has passed away. Then God will dwell among his beloved people. And God is finally home.

  • Herman Suico, SVD (Zamboanga, Sibugay)

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

Dn 1: 1–6.8–20 / Lk 21: 1–4

When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 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.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The usual way we judge the generosity of a person is by the amount he or she gives. The bigger the amount, the more generous is our appreciation of the giver. By today’s usual standard, the offerings of wealthy people are considered more generous than the offering of a poor widow.

However, Jesus shows us another way of looking at giving, which is measured not so much by the amount of the gift as by the spirit behind the gift. The widow gave from her want, from her need. The gratitude of the woman for God was so great that she gave from her very subsistence. For her, an offering to God deserved to be the best and so she offered her whole livelihood.

For Jesus, generosity is measured not by how costly is the gift but by the heart of one who offers it - the sacrifice that is behind the gift even though it might appear meager by worldly standards. Yes, indeed, God’s thoughts and ways are different from ours (Is 55: 8-9).

  • Francisco Estepa, SVD (HNU, Tagbilaran, Bohol)

The Word in other words 2015

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

More Articles ...

  1. November 22, 2015 Sunday
  2. November 21, 2015 Saturday
  3. November 20, 2015 Friday
  4. November 19, 2015 Thursday
  5. November 18, 2015 Wednesday
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