“WALK DAILY WITH JESUS”, 27/11/25, (Thursday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time of Year C).

(REMEMBER TO PRAY IN THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER FOR YOUR RELATIVES, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE DIED)

COLLECT: “ALMIGHTY EVER-LIVING GOD, WHOSE WILL IS TO RESTORE ALL THINGS IN YOUR BELOVED SON, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE, GRANT, WE PRAY, THAT THE WHOLE CREATION, SET FREE FROM SLAVERY, MAY RENDER YOUR MAJESTY SERVICE AND CEASELESSLY PROCLAIM YOUR PRAISE. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.

Dan 6:12-28; Ps Dan 3:68-74 and Lk 21:20-28.

As we approach closely to the end of the Liturgical Year, once again, the scriptures keep reminding us about the end of the world, the end of our individual lives. Mother Church purposely selected these readings to help us do a serious evaluation of our lives and activities. Where we have done well, we pray to do better; where we are found wanting, we humbly ask for clemency from the Forgiving and Merciful Lord and change for the better.

We continue to reflect on the fact that Satan, the Prince of this world, always seems to be succeeding in his wicked and evil plans, targeted at the children of God. But nothing is permanent including the devil and his plans. In fact, today’s scriptures remind us once again that nothing in this world is lasting or permanent. Therefore, whatever we have here, including the world, is not our own. At best, we are simply custodians, keeping what belongs to God, for him, while those that belong to Satan/Evil, we keep them for him as well, to take away.

The story of Daniel in the lion’s den is a clear example of Satan seemingly succeeding with his wicked and evil plans but God eventually winning the battle. This story is a great source of encouragement for the persecuted people of Israel. Today’s Gospel is more somber, treating the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world. Once again, it is true that everything in this world has an end. They do not last.

Worldly Power, authority, wealth, worldly possessions, prestige, fame, prosperity, honour, dominion, etc., shall all come to pass one day in the life of the individual or nation or community. We have either heard, read about or witnessed great and powerful individuals or groups, or communities and nations that have suddenly disappeared from the world. We hear of turmoil, conflicts, wars, and natural disasters, day in and day out, in our contemporary world. We are being cautioned not to allow these things to harden our hearts and lead us astray.

However, the Gospel ends on a very happy note for believers, especially those being persecuted, for people “will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Cf. Lk 21:27-28).

We are urged to stand erect, without fear, patiently endure and persevere in the good life that we live as well as in the good things that we do. These will be like storing up treasures in heaven which will permanently last and will be our own even after this earthly life. May the Lord help us in this direction. May we not let news of conflicts and natural disasters harden our hearts and lead us astray. Stay blessed and may your Thursday be fruitful.

WE MEDITATE TODAY, THURSDAY, ON THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT: ‘THE BAPTISM OF JESUS, THE WEDDING AT CANA, THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM, THE TRANSFIGURATION, AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST’. (WE PRAY FOR OPENNESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAY TO JESUS THROUGH MARY, FOR REPENTANCE AND TRUST IN GOD, THE DESIRE FOR HOLINESS, AND WE PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADORATION) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.

PRAYER: “HAVING RECEIVED THE FOOD OF IMMORTALITY, WE ASK, O LORD, THAT, GLORYING IN OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF CHRIST, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE, WE MAY LIVE WITH HIM ETERNALLY IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com.