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.
Scripture:Acts 5:34-42John 6:1-15Reflection:Today we hear the story of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes; a story which is found in all four Gospels. In this story there are subtle » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 5:27-33John 3:31-36Reflection:‘We must obey God rather than men’! This is a profound statement of faith coming out of the mouths of Peter and the Apostles. The Roman authorities were » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. MarkScripture:1 Peter 5:5b-14 Mark 16:15-20Reflection:“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” ~Mark 16:15What a wonderful charge. And as human beings, we have » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 5:12-16Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19John 20:19-31Reflection:Encountering Christ“The doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in their midst, and *said to them, » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 4:1-12John 21:1-14Reflection:Lord, Your words today shame me. Peter and John were so strong and eloquent facing down the Sadducees in the temple and healing in Your name. To my » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 3:11-26Luke 24:13-35Reflection:It’s really quite humorous. Peter addressing the crowd with such self-assurance, such self-confidence in today’s first reading… he’s almost condescending! Not long before this speech before the Sanhedrin, » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 3: 1-10Luke 24: 13-35Reflection:On this third day after we have celebrated the great feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the scripture readings present us with two encounters with the » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 2:36-41John 20:11-18Reflection:In today’s Gospel reading, Mary of Magdala is outside of the tomb where Jesus was. She is weeping because even though the tomb is empty, her only conclusion » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Acts 2:14, 22-33Matthew 28:8-15Reflection:In my life I’ve seen the rise of sensationalism, conspiracy theories, and the like in the media. I can’t speculate the degree which the internet has contributed » Continue Reading.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the LordScriptures:Acts 10:34, 37-43 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 John 20:1-9ReflectionOne sentence hidden away in our scripture readings today should absolutely not be » Continue Reading.