Readings
I - Dan. 2: 31-45
II - Lk. 21: 5-11
HIS KINGDOM REIGNS FOREVER
The supremacy of God overpowers and subdues all earthly power and position is the streamline of the two readings today. All atrocious activities and oppressing powers will be overthrown with the coming of the Kingdom of God. The two readings of the day are interconnected and complementary. The Gospel passage is the prediction of suffering under the super powers of the world and the first reading is the consolation and hope that the Kingdom of God would prevail over all super powers of this world.
In the Gospel passage of the day, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the pride of the people of God, intertwined with the emotions of every Jew. Jesus also predicts the sufferings that the people of God had to endure under the clutches of the great and greedy rulers and the powers of the world. The second reading is a consolation and comfort that would boost the endurance and hope of the people of God. In the vision of Nebuchadnezzar, the great statue of extreme brightness, so terrible to see was smashed to fine chaff by the stone untouched by any hand - the Kingdom of God that will neither be destroyed nor will it pass into the hands of another human race. God will one day reign over all where will also reign freedom, fraternity and justice making pace for all people of God for a happy living.
If we had to face any suffering on account of Jesus, endure so willingly with the hope that God will one day act on our behalf. The Lord who listened to the cry of Israel under the slavery of the Egyptian tyrants, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering” (Ex. 37:7),I would indeed listen to us and act on our behalf. Therefore accept all suffering with all hope and trust in the Lord who is concerned so much about us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you”.
