November 29 - Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I

(Dn.7:15-27;   Dn.3:59,82-87;   Lk.21:34-36) 

"The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell

on the face of the earth." 

And so we must "pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand before the Son of Man."

The vision is explained to Daniel, and really it is quite simple: evil shall come, but good shall triumph in the end.  Kingdoms of the Beast, of the evil one, "shall arise on earth.  But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever," the angel tells Daniel, and reiterates this simple point: "All the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, whose kingdom shall be everlasting."  Yes, evil kingdoms shall rise and make war "against the holy ones," devouring the earth, beating it down, and crushing it… but the court of the Lord will be convened and the "final and absolute destruction" of the evil one is thus at hand.  In Daniel's vision "the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom."  And so it is; and so it shall be.

"Be on the watch," the Lord exhorts us in our gospel for this the final day of our liturgical year.  We must indeed "be on guard," for if we do not watch, we will not be prepared for the coming day of the Lord which is ever at hand.  Certainly we do not wish to be destroyed with the devil and his angels, but if our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares," how shall we stand?  And so it is that we must indeed pray constantly for the strength to withstand the coming chastisement – we cannot underestimate the devil's power to seduce us with his lies even as the grass grows beneath our feet.  As the grass grows, so must our spirits grow, in truth and goodness and love.  His peace must surround us to guard us against the sin which attacks us here as we live and breathe upon the face of the earth.

The day will come.  Let it be our joy to be found waiting for the Lord.

      (And so, Advent is now upon us.)

 *******

O LORD, preserve us from what is to come;

give us the strength to stand in your glorious presence.

YHWH, the day of your judgment is coming upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, but on that day your holy ones will be glorified.  The beasts and their kingdoms shall all be destroyed and your holy people will reign with your Son.

But we must be ready for that day; we cannot fall into drunkenness.  If we become bloated with indulgence and worldly cares, we shall not stand secure before Jesus but be driven out with the evil one.  O let not that day overtake us, dear LORD!  Rather, take us then into your kingdom.

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