Readings for Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
This reading begins the Book of Daniel, an example of the apocalyptic genre in Holy Scripture. In this selection Daniel, with his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are taken into the service of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a gentile who has captured Judah.
The young heroes reject the unclean food (in the ritual sense) of the table of the King showing their dedication to Mosaic Law and prosper, becoming healthier and brighter than those who have defiled themselves from the King’s table. The four are established as wise and prudent above their peers and the wise men of the king.
Responsorial Psalm Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R. Glory and praise for ever!
The Responsorial Psalm is a song of praise to God taken also from the Book of Daniel. This selection is the hymn chanted by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they stood in the white hot furnace. They were being punished by King Nebuchadnezzar for not worshiping a golden idol he had set up. An angel of God came to them in their plight and kept them from harm even though the furnace was so hot it burned those who tended it. (This is were we miss the verse (7) left out of our first reading where Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were given the Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)
Gospel Lk 21:1-4
The footnote from the NAB does a good job of setting the stage for this example of Jesus’ teaching on the importance of gifts of the spirit. “The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness (Luke 6:20). Her simple offering provides a striking contrast to the pride and pretentiousness of the scribes denounced in the preceding section (Luke 20:45-47). The story is taken from Mark 12:41-44.”
Reflection:
Our scripture today begins with a fairly long passage from the beginning of the Book of Daniel. This book, which belongs to the apocalyptic genre, was supplied for and was especially popular with both Jews and Christians during times of intense persecution. As we see at the very beginning, Daniel and his three companions are heroic in their adherence to Mosaic Law, risking even death (see the notes on the Responsorial Psalm) rather than betraying that covenant.
In situations of blatant persecution this passage would give its sufferers a practical lesson, immediately recognized, in dealing with their situation. Those of us who are diligent in trying to keep firm to our faith in this secular society can also see the value of their example. Modern society, most especially the media, try to portray societal values that directly contravene what we are taught by our faith. Although we are not tortured or persecuted in a physical way, in many cases our religious positions and resulting actions are often scorned and frowned upon by our peers and colleagues not of the faith. Pressure is there to abandon our faith and accept the practices that would make us more “palatable” to the hedonistic values so prevalent today.
The story of heroic virtue displayed by Daniel and his companions is strengthened by the short Gospel passage from St. Luke. In it we find our Lord praising the poor widow for her gift; the gift that demonstrated that she was more concerned with her love of God and dedication to him than the things of the world.
As we ride out the tide of commercialism that will blitz us throughout our coming Advent celebrations, we than God for these scriptural reminders of what should be most important in our lives. We pray that we live those values faithfully in the coming weeks.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The Picture used today is “The Widow’s Mite” Artist and Date UNKNOWN
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Dn 1:1-6, 8-20
This reading begins the Book of Daniel, an example of the apocalyptic genre in Holy Scripture. In this selection Daniel, with his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are taken into the service of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a gentile who has captured Judah.
The young heroes reject the unclean food (in the ritual sense) of the table of the King showing their dedication to Mosaic Law and prosper, becoming healthier and brighter than those who have defiled themselves from the King’s table. The four are established as wise and prudent above their peers and the wise men of the king.
Responsorial Psalm Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R. Glory and praise for ever!
The Responsorial Psalm is a song of praise to God taken also from the Book of Daniel. This selection is the hymn chanted by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they stood in the white hot furnace. They were being punished by King Nebuchadnezzar for not worshiping a golden idol he had set up. An angel of God came to them in their plight and kept them from harm even though the furnace was so hot it burned those who tended it. (This is were we miss the verse (7) left out of our first reading where Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were given the Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)
Gospel Lk 21:1-4
The footnote from the NAB does a good job of setting the stage for this example of Jesus’ teaching on the importance of gifts of the spirit. “The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness (Luke 6:20). Her simple offering provides a striking contrast to the pride and pretentiousness of the scribes denounced in the preceding section (Luke 20:45-47). The story is taken from Mark 12:41-44.”
Reflection:
Our scripture today begins with a fairly long passage from the beginning of the Book of Daniel. This book, which belongs to the apocalyptic genre, was supplied for and was especially popular with both Jews and Christians during times of intense persecution. As we see at the very beginning, Daniel and his three companions are heroic in their adherence to Mosaic Law, risking even death (see the notes on the Responsorial Psalm) rather than betraying that covenant.
In situations of blatant persecution this passage would give its sufferers a practical lesson, immediately recognized, in dealing with their situation. Those of us who are diligent in trying to keep firm to our faith in this secular society can also see the value of their example. Modern society, most especially the media, try to portray societal values that directly contravene what we are taught by our faith. Although we are not tortured or persecuted in a physical way, in many cases our religious positions and resulting actions are often scorned and frowned upon by our peers and colleagues not of the faith. Pressure is there to abandon our faith and accept the practices that would make us more “palatable” to the hedonistic values so prevalent today.
The story of heroic virtue displayed by Daniel and his companions is strengthened by the short Gospel passage from St. Luke. In it we find our Lord praising the poor widow for her gift; the gift that demonstrated that she was more concerned with her love of God and dedication to him than the things of the world.
As we ride out the tide of commercialism that will blitz us throughout our coming Advent celebrations, we than God for these scriptural reminders of what should be most important in our lives. We pray that we live those values faithfully in the coming weeks.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The Picture used today is “The Widow’s Mite” Artist and Date UNKNOWN
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