Scripture:
Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Luke 21: 12-19
Reflection:
By your perseverance you will secure your lives. -Luke 21:19
In this last week of the liturgical year, we are reminded of many things. In the reading from Daniel, we are challenged to look at what our focus is in life. The King was so caught up in his party that he became carried away and brought the sacred vessels from the Temple to use for his own pleasure. This time of the year it is so easy to be caught up in the frenzy of Black Friday or Cyber Monday! Sale! Sale! Sale! Catch our eyes as we try and look for the bargain on those Christmas presents we are shopping for. Not that gift giving is a bad thing, it is just our focus and keeping ourselves focused on the true meaning of the coming season of Advent and Christmas. Are we focused on material things or the people and events around us? Are we using objects to assist us in our daily work or to help us become a better person? Saint Benedict reminds us to keep all things in moderation. It’s all about keeping our balance.
In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us that it is not easy being a disciple. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is the most difficult thing we will do in our journey through our life. It requires daily attention to what we are doing and why we are doing it. It requires us to daily feed our spiritual life through our thoughts, words, and actions. We travel this journey with Christ by our side, protecting us and guiding us on both the smooth and rough paths.
May the new liturgical year bring many blessings and graces to you and your family.
Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.