Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Saturday in the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
[Daniel 7:15-27 and Luke 21:34-36]I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind...... [Book of Daniel]
The human imagination is capable of incredible things. It must, however, be fed somehow and have material to work with. Our own personal experiences with nightmares - whether or own or those of our children are examples. One can only wonder where the author of the Book of Daniel got his own material when writing the visions in Chapter 7 or some of the other adventures of young Daniel! The descriptions of the four "beasts" in Chapter 7 resemble some of the latest dinosaur-monster movies or particularly spectacular special effects! The aim of it all is to reassure the Jewish faithful that by perseverance they will triumph over the oppressive rulers and cultures that are crushing them. Good will triumph over evil. The vivid visions are precisely that - visions! Apocalyptic language is meant to be taken seriously but not literally! Jesus points out in the gospel scripture today that complacency is a dangerous thing. Again, as in Daniel, perseverance in living the commandments requires an intentional effort and a deliberate alertness to the signs of the times. The struggle is not always manifested in great battles but in daily challenges that build up the spirit and enable us to stand firm when things do get tough in a dramatic way. The liturgical year always ends this way. It will take a deliberate effort to shift our imagination from final things to the beginning of the story with the First Sunday of Advent this weekend. Continuing to tell the story of Jesus and God's plan of salvation is part of the necessary effort. AMEN