Dn 6:12-28

Lk 21:20-28

November 26
Thursday

34th Week in Ordinary Time

 

1st Reading: Dn 6:12-28
    So they went to the king and reminded him about the prohibition, “O king, did you not publish a decree that anyone who prays or makes petition to any god or man except to you would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
    The king answered, “Yes, and the decree stands, in accordance with Medo-Persian laws which cannot be altered or annulled.”
    Then they said, “But the Jewish exile Daniel pays no attention to you and to your decree. Three times a day he still prays to some god other than you.”
    Greatly aggrieved at what he heard, the king decided to help Daniel. He made every effort till sundown to save him.
    But the men kept coming to him and insisting, “Remember, O king, that under the Medo-Persian laws every decree or prohibition is-sued by the king is irrevocable.”
The king, therefore, could not help giving the order that Daniel be brought and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve faithfully, save you.”
    A stone was placed at the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with that of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might remain unchanged.. Then the king returned to his palace and spent a sleepless night, refusing food and entertainment. Very early next morning, he rose and hurried to the lions’ den. As he came near he called in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, did your God whom you serve faithfully save you from the lions?”
    Daniel answered, “Live forever, O king! My God sent his angel who closed the lions’ mouths so that they did not hurt me. God did that because I am innocent in his sight. Neither have I wronged you, O king.”
    The king felt very glad and ordered Daniel released from the lions’ den. No wound was found on him for he had trusted in his God. At the king’s order, the men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the lions’ den, together with their wives and children. No sooner had they reached the floor of the den than the lions lunged at them and tore them to pieces.
    King Darius wrote to the nations, to peoples of every language, “Peace to you all! I decree that throughout my kingdom people should reverence and fear the God of Daniel.
    “For he is the living God,
    and forever he endures;
    his kingdom will not be crushed,
    his dominion will never cease.
    He rescues and he delivers;
    he performs signs and wonders
    both in heaven and on earth.
    And he came to Daniel’s rescue
    saving him from the lions’ tooth and claw.”
    Daniel greatly prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

 

Gospel: Lk 21:20-28
    Jesus said to his disciples, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city.
    “For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.
    “Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
    “Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.”

 

REFLECTION
    The great miracle in the story of Daniel in the lion’s den is that he continued to pray. If we, the people of God, stop praying then no lions will threaten us. The mark of true faith is that we keep praying. It shows that we believe in God more than the world. When it is pitch black all you need is one single light and then darkness no longer prevails. The destiny of the Jews, exiled in Babylon, was decided by Daniel's prayer. The great battle took place there, with Daniel praying to God. How could lions not be tamed by his prayer?
    Daniel prayed three times a day. If each one of us prayed as often as he prayed then, each year, we would have prayed more than a thousand times. That will not be easy. Prayer is inconvenient, because there is always something else to do and many things to hinder us. In prayer, there are routine clichés that have to be killed, pious mumbles and rhythms to break down. Yet, prayer is the essential breathing of the soul; without it our soul dies. In prayer we articulate our faith and live it out. Let us pray!

 

Additional Meditation Links:

The Word Among Us http://www.wau.org/meditations/current/

Fullness of Life http://www..junmanacsa.blogspot.com

 

Responsorial Psalm
Daniel 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74

R. (59b) Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Ice and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.        Give glory and eternal praise to him.

 

Sources:

http://www.bible.claret.org/

http://www.usccb.org/nab

 

====

Daily WORD via Text*

Thu, 26 Nov

DAILY WORD

Dn 6:12-28

Lk 21:20-28

For the living God rescues and He delivers those in need.

 

source: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dailywordviatext/

 

 

To all subscribers,

May I request you to forward the invitation to subscribe to the FREE dailyscripturedigest, below:

===

Get a daily dose of Bible scripture readings straight to your inbox.

This once-daily, short and FREE e-newsletter is perfect for busy people who would like to devote some moments each day reading the bible verses from the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar including daily meditations from Catholic Sources like Word Among Us, Roman Catholic Net and/or Claretian Publishing.

Absolutely free. No request for donation. No spamming.

 

To subscribe, send blank e-mail to:

Dailyscripturedigest-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You will then receive an email to confirm your request for a FREE subscription to this e-newsletter. Or just send a message to this e-mail dailyscripture333@... and I will facilitate your free subscription. I would like to request your support so that we can spread The Word! Thanks so much!

Visit the site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dailyscripturedigest/

==