SHINE…

Daniel 12:1-3

1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book.2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Hebrews 10:11-14,18

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,13 then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Mark 13:24-32

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27 And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.32 “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  

MEDITATION

THE BOOK OF DANIEL describe the emergence and active role of the angel Michael, the advocate of Israel who is purposed to assist in delivering Israel at the “last battle.” The living whose names are found in the book of life shall be delivered, and some of those who have died shall be raised to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame! Finally we see supernatural gifts of illumination endowed to those who applied wisdom to save God’s people.

THE BOOK OF HEBREWS: The old covenant daily temple sacrifices although ordered to elicit God’s mercy, could not absolve man from their sins. On the other hand, Christs death and ressurection became the New Covenant sacrificial observance; the Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist, that has the power to sanctify and order the forgiveness of mans venial sins. Mt 26:27,28

St MARK’S Apocalyptic narrative describe a time of absolute darkness that shall see the manifestation of Christs second coming. Christ allude to the “fig tree;” a recollection of mans “fall” and shame (Gen 3:7) that moment in time when Adam and Eve rejected the Father’s command to not eat of the forbidden fruit that seemed so appetizing and desirous!

The Church specifically chose todays scripture readings to again alert us to the fact that mother earth with all it’s attractions is not our eternal destiny.  Advent, an awaiting period of spiritual assimilation proclaimed by the Church seeks to move our sense and sensibilities to align with our calling to be saints! We have been begotten to be wise and shine; to be raised up to the ‘firmanent,’ God’s own place, where the saints and  the angels reside!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 16:5,8-115

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.
8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.10 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.