Reading 1
Dn 6:12-28
Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.
Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.
Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:
“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”
Gospel
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.”
Meditation: Luke 21:20-28
The powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)
Readings about the Second Coming of Christ can really make our hearts quicken—but not necessarily with excitement. They make us feel as if a dark cloud just entered the room, heralding doom and destruction. Is it because we are hiding something in our hearts that we don’t want to bring into the light? Perhaps, but when you get right down to it, this is a silly way to think. After all, God sees everything!
It’s true that as we give the Holy Spirit access into our hearts, he will begin to show us sinful areas that we need to change—but he won’t do it in a condemning way that beats us down. Rather, he will fill us with hope as he shows us the road to freedom.
Today’s reading is an invitation for us to take stock. If we ask the Lord to come in and purify us, we will find joy and peace, not fear and judgment. We may have some work to do, but it won’t be pointless labor. It will be more like spring-cleaning, resulting in a house that is clean and free of clutter and cobwebs. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we will want to be free of the sins that bind us and keep our eyes focused only on this world.
Our God is not a harsh judge waiting for us to fail so that he can throw us in jail. No, he is our Father and Creator. He longs to form us into a people set apart for him, a people who are ready to welcome Jesus when he returns in glory. Every step that we take toward Jesus is a step toward getting ready. It is one more step out of the old life and into the new life. It is one more step away from hardheartedness and toward the soft heart that loves as fully as he does.
Jesus is coming back one day. He will bring judgment upon the sins of the world. But he will also bring salvation to all who are looking for him. So stay alert, and welcome him in today!
“Holy Spirit, please come into my heart and shed light on the areas that are out of order. Help me to rejoice in Jesus’ Second Coming, not fear it.”
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