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:Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9Matthew 5:17-19Reflection:In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus says to the crowds, “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Daniel 3:25, 34-43Matthew 18: 21-23Reflection:Lord, You said that by sincerely being penitent and asking for your mercy, my sins will be forgiven. However, you made it clear that what I am » Continue Reading.
Scripture:2 Kings 5:1-15abLuke 4:24-30Reflection:“Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, too your dwelling place.” -Psalm 43:3As a child » Continue Reading.
Third Sunday of LentScripture:Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-151 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12Luke 13:1-9Reflection:In Sunday’s Gospel reading (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree. The owner of the fig tree » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Joseph, Husband of MaryScripture:2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22Luke 2:41-51aReflection:Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.While » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28aMatthew 21:33-43, 45-46Reflection:The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. -Matthew 21:43Those poor Pharisees! Doesn’t » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Jeremiah 18:18-20Matthew 20:17-28Reflection:Leadership is a demanding ministry. It might also be said to be an ‘art’ and a subtle one at that. It is far easier in a time when » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Daniel 9:4b-10Luke 6:36-38Reflection:The Week of Good WorksWe can see a difference in the book of readings during Lent. Each day there is a particular gospel with its complimentary first reading. » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 9:28b-36Reflection:Our readings for today invite us to reflect on the second Sunday in Lent—called Transfiguration Sunday. We hear from the Gospel of Luke. In the previous » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Deuteronomy 26:16-19Matthew 5:43-48Reflection:Let your meditation be “taken up” in the Holy Spirit today. The Word of God invites us to the mystical within us. The “mystical” within us is the » Continue Reading.