In today's readings, Daniel 1: 1-6, 8-20 and Luke 21: 1-4, we are introduced to people in the Old and New Testament who placed all their hope in the Lord, their God and Savior. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah choose to obey their God rather than defile themselves and abandon their faith. Rather than eating the food and drink from the king's table, they are given vegetables only at their request. The other men also being trained for high positions in the king's court are served from the table of the king . At the close the the three-year training period, Daniel and his companions are found to be healthier than the others. Also, "[i]n any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom."
In the Gospel, the widow puts two small coins in the church treasury, giving her entire livelihood to the Lord, trusting God's Providence to care for her and meet her daily needs. Others give only of their surplus! In this reading, the Lord challenged me regarding my willingness to give of my poverty, whether that be financial or otherwise--my time, my energy, my generosity, my giftedness.
Last night I retired with an bombardment of negative thoughts concerning some challenges I face. Obviously, my sleep was disturbed, my trust shaken. The strength of my faith was tried and did not, in any way match the disciples of the Lord portrayed in today's liturgical readings. I opened my Office Book and began Morning Praise.The following words "jumped off" the page and penetrated my heart:
"Why are you sad, O my soul?
Why groan within me?
Hope in the Lord; praise God still,
My Savior and my God!"
The depression, the anxiety, the sadness was dissipated and I was at peace again, renewing my trust in the Lord, my Savior and my God!God
Hmmm... it appears that message was directed to me too :-)
ReplyDeleteHmmm... it appears that message was directed to me too :-)
ReplyDelete