Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 28, 2015 - Saturday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
[Dan 7:15-27 and Luke 21:34-36]SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015 SATURDAY IN THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Daniel 7:15-27 and Luke 21:34-36] "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to excape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Today is the last day of the liturgical year. Tomorrow will be the first Sunday in Advent. The vivid language of the Book of Daniel and the warnings from Jesus about tribulations continue right up to the end of this year. (Luke will continue to warn us tomorrow.) We will move from Cycle B to Cycle C for Sundays and from Year I to Year II for daily reflection in the lectionary. Life will seem to move on and the same cares and anxieties will still be there, which is what Luke speaks about today. Luke was speaking to a community facing persecution and tribulation that was life-threatening. Our concerns may not be quite as dire, although in certain parts of the world Christians are facing such things. Can we allow ourselves a "ho-hum" about Advent and the promises of God while our brothers and sisters elsewhere are needing hope? Is Advent catching us by surprise? If there is a possibility of a spiritual New Year's resolution, might it be to live Advent to the fullest that we can. It may be only something like lighting the four candles on an Advent wreath and setting up the nativity scene as a reminder of why we are lighting those candles. It may be reflecting on the prophetic scriptures that will appear in the lectionary. I will speak about an "intentional Advent" on Sunday as I begin a parish mission at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Camarillo, CA. I invite you to join me in prayer and hope. Happy New Year! AMEN