Reading and meditation on the Word of God, Tuesday of the 34th week of ordinary time, November 26, 2019. Daniel 2, 31-45; Luke 21, 5-11. Voice: father Ambros sdb (reading) and father Peter sdb (meditation)
Our meditation today has the theme: We Follow the Determination of the World. Naturally, our bodies and all matters of the world obey the natural law. Our skin cannot withstand a very cold or very hot temperature. We will be tired and have problem with our breath after running up the hill for some kilometers. The leaves will fall and then turn to integrate with soil. The old houses and cities that already destroyed had become debris. Our body after death will unite with the earth.
This we call the law of determination, that is, our lives are determined or destined to obey and follow what nature wants. The same determination also comes from human violence such as war, discrimination, intolerance and other crimes. All are parts of this world. Because of original sin, we can’t help but accept the fact that we must fight, defend ourselves and even accept that in due time we will die and leave this world.
Daniel, a wise young man who along with his three Jewish brothers worked to serve the Persian king Nebuchadnezzar, gave an understanding of the determination of nature and life in this world to a king who did not believe in God. A mighty and powerful kingdom throughout the earth will be destroyed and only its name would remain. Jesus also states that the beautiful temple will be destroyed to the ground. Then, there would be extraordinary natural disasters and infectious diseases throughout the earth.
All predictions will be proven one by one over time. This means that all of us and all of our works in this world are subject to the law of nature which is united with time in constant change. None of us can intervene, even the world most braverst leader and the greatest technological andvancement cannot stop this subjection. Technology and political power are not comparable to God’s wisdom and will. Then God allows and enables humans to be experts in technology and politics, and the world seems to be so powerful. But God keeps nature and its laws reign and determine.
God himself indeed cannot prevent if the will of nature occurs and the time for the body and matter of this world must reach its end. God’s will is certain, what is temporary will be destroyed in this world and dies, because there will be an eternal power, that is, the kingdom of God himself who regins. We really believe in this.
Let’s pray. In the name of the Father … O glorious Lord Jesus, bless us as persons, families and communities, so that we always look at You in hope for eternal life for all of us. Glory to the Father … In the name of the Father …