Saturday 29 November 2025. Readings: Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36
“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life.” (Luke 21:34)
There will be difficult times. The Christian life is not a bed of roses; expect resistance from the world whenever you seek to walk in the light. Nevertheless, as Jesus says, do not let your hearts be troubled; do not let your hearts be weighed down by worry, anxiety, or the cares of this life.
This is how we achieve victory over the devil: by not letting ourselves be burdened by the lack of worldly riches. If Jesus Christ had been worried about earthly riches and glory, he would have fallen for the devil’s temptations. Do not let your heart be burdened; trust in God. No matter how difficult things become, keep putting God first and obeying His commandments.
How can we rise above worries and the cares of life? Jesus tells us: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place.” Prayer is the key to avoiding worry. When we don’t pray enough, we begin to carry unnecessary burdens. Remember that song: “What a friend we have in Jesus…” A line in that song says, “Oh, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry our burdens to Jesus.”
In other words, why worry when you have Jesus as your friend? You may ask: “I prayed in the past, but things have not changed?” Keep praying. Jesus says, “Pray at all times.” Pray, not because you have problems; pray in obedience to Jesus’s command – at all times, regardless of how things may be for you.
Before digital photography became common, pictures were developed from negatives, meaning photographers had to go into the “darkroom” to produce high-quality images. This teaches us something about life: our best days are not in the past but ahead. Sometimes, life pushes us into the darkroom, not to punish us but to cleanse us so that our brightest selves can shine.
Do not let anything weigh you down. Keep shining. Keep praying. Keep being good! Today’s first reading offers us one more reason not to be weighed down by worry. Daniel receives an explanation of his visions, and it concludes with a beautiful statement: “And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.” In other words, we shall laugh last in the end. Regardless of today’s challenges, raise your heads high, remain faithful to the end.
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. (Saturday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu