Daily Scripture, November 27, 2024
Scripture:
Revelation 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading for today, as Jesus is speaking to the people about the end times, He also tells His disciples to expect being persecuted because of their faith in Him. And He says, “It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself will give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute…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.”
Jesus tells His disciples that some of them will be even put to death, so I don’t think Jesus is promising them some kind of physical invincibility. What He does promise them is that no matter what happens to them, that they will not lose the promise of eternal life.
And in that hope of eternal life, they can persevere in following Him. In the U.S. we are not persecuted as the early Christians were. But we face many difficulties and challenges in living out our faith. But even in the midst of all sorts of trials and tribulations, going on in our lives and in the world, we too can persevere in following Him. We can persevere in loving God and loving our neighbor, caring for the “least” of our brothers and sisters, and working for justice. And perhaps doing this is the “wisdom” our “adversaries” are “powerless to resist or refute.”
The world needs our perseverance in living out the faith, hope, and love we have in Jesus Christ.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.
Monday of the Third Week of Advent Scripture:Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17aMatthew 21:23-27Reflection:Spirit-filled Balaam cries out his oracle and portrays for us the image of a great person called forth to speak on behalf » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Zephaniah 3:14-18aPhilippians 4:4-7Luke 3:10-18Reflection:For your meditation this weekend, do not miss the importance of God preparing within you the “birthing” of his Son. We are other Christs and nothing less. » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Matthew 17: 9a, 10-13Reflection:The Jewish belief in first-century Palestine was that Elijah did not die, according to Hebrew Scripture, but was taken up to heaven by a » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 48:17-19Matthew 11:16-19Reflection:I’ve read so much about profiling – when another’s character, motivation, or worth is assumed by external characteristics like skin color, hairstyle, clothing, etc. It’s easy to condemn » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 41:13-20 Matthew 11:11-15Reflection:Advent, a Mother’s Love, and Juan DiegoToday we celebrate the feast of Juan Diego of Mexico, “hermit”. The Ordo says ‘he devoted himself to the pilgrims who » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 40:1-11 Matthew 18:12-14Reflection:Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care. -Isaiah 40:11“Go » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 5:17-26Reflection:Several years ago, a dozen Louisville Catholics were given an abandoned rectory to develop a Catholic Worker house of hospitality. When we began the effort there was » Continue Reading.
Second Sunday of AdventScripture:Baruch 5:1-9Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11Luke 3:1-6Reflection:Wow, we are already in the Second Sunday of Advent. For many of us, and I include myself in this group, the First » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 Matthew 9:35 – 10:2,5,6-8Reflection:Faith, Life, Love … Treasured and SharedToday’s Advent Gospel presents a touching scene: Jesus moves among the towns and villages, teaching, proclaiming the Gospel of » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Isaiah 25:6-10aMatthew 15:29-37Reflection:The miracle that we read of in today’s gospel seems to have various levels of application for us.Firstly, of course, we have the presenting situation of a physical » Continue Reading.