Readings: Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33
“And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)
In our first reading today, Daniel recounts the contents of his dreams, the visions of the night. Daniel spoke in human language. He attempted to describe what he saw using analogies that we can understand. Therefore, if we take Daniel’s vision at face value, we would only have a very imperfect image of God. God is beyond our imagination; God is greater than what words can express.
Daniel’s vision is like a blind man trying to describe an elephant by touching only one part of its body. God is beyond scientific observation or explanation. God is Father, Son, and Spirit. God is Love. Don’t try to intellectualise God; worship Him.
The other aspect of the vision aligns perfectly with an image of Jesus Christ. He is the “one who came like a son of man.” Jesus himself, during his earthly life, referred to himself as ‘Son of Man’ multiple times. “And to Him was given dominion… his dominion is an everlasting dominion… one that shall not be destroyed.”
In speaking of Jesus, St. Paul affirms: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11).
God is a king who can never be destroyed. He is greater than anything we can imagine or think of. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who made us and sustains our lives. Jesus assures us today, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will not.” Let us renew our faith and confidence in Him daily, casting off our fear of evil spirits, for we know that no one is greater than God.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus, like Daniel, uses an analogy to explain the end of the world. Just as the fig tree signals the end of one season and the start of another by shedding its leaves, there are signs of the end times. However, no one knows exactly when these events will occur. The important thing is that we are always prepared.
While it will not be out of place to describe the recent events in our country as signs of the end time, the reality facing Christians today provides an opportunity for deeper trust in God and a commitment to saintly living. While we continue to reach out to the government for stronger political will in ending the targeted destruction of Christians, the wanton kidnapping and killing of clergy, the raid of our schools, we must remind ourselves that we belong to a kingdom that is not earthly.
We serve a king whose reign lasts forever; a king who has what it takes to end the violence against his children, as He did when He arrested Saul on his way to Damascus. We do not hope for foreign government intervention but on God Himself. Even the scriptures teach that a curse be on the man who trusts in his fellow man. (Jeremiah 17:5). Our government have failed us, but the government that needs no human elections to remain in power will never fail us.
Let us pray: Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 34 in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu