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:1 Peter 1:3-9Mark 10:17-27Reflection:We are a blessed people! In our reading from 1 Peter today, we are reminded of how truly blessed we are in receiving a new birth to » Continue Reading.
Scripture:Sirach 27:4-71 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45Reflection:We have all heard the expression, “Walk the walk, talk the talk.” It is not for us to judge what we may see or interpret » Continue Reading.
Scripture:James 5:13-20 Mark 10:13-16Reflection:The psalm response during the Liturgy of the Word too often is but an unremarkable interlude between the first reading and the gospel. But today’s Psalm 141 » Continue Reading.
Photo credit: Father Rob Carbonneau, CPSolemn Commemoration of the PassionScripture:Isaiah 53:1-12 Hebrews 2:9-18 or 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 19:17-30Reflection:The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, » Continue Reading.
Scripture:James 5:1-6Mark 9:41-50Reflection:“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble (skandalizō), it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he » Continue Reading.
Scripture:James 4:13-17 Mark 9:38-40Reflection:In our Gospel reading for today, we have a lesson that speaks very much to our times. John the apostle goes to Jesus and tells Him, “Teacher, » Continue Reading.
Scripture:1 Peter 5:1-4Matthew 16:13-19Reflection:Lord, it seems so counterintuitive to love my enemy. Somedays I feel surrounded by the opposite message. News outlets, social media, neighborhood protests, someone screaming over the » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Peter DamianScripture:James 3:13-18Mark 9:14-29Reflection:In the first reading from the letter of St. James there are some key take aways. 1) It is important to pray for wisdom » Continue Reading.
Scripture:I Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23I Corinthians 16: 45-49Luke 6: 27-38Reflection:The readings today really do pull us way out of our comfort zones! In the reading from Samuel, we have » Continue Reading.
Scripture:James 3:1-10Mark 9:2-13Reflection:In our Gospel reading for today, we hear the account in Mark’s Gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of the apostles Peter, James and John. » Continue Reading.