Daily Reflection for Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092921.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 or Revelation 12: 7-12ab
Responsorial Psalm 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
Gospel: John 1: 47-51
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
He received dominion, splendor, and kingship; all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7: 14.
The book of Daniel describes dreams that warn the people of his time. The dreams included visions of fire, beasts, destruction, chaos, and death. His dreams were terrifying. Is it possible that in this time, we are also seeing warning signs around the earth?
It’s easy for me to worry about current events, the future of the world, climate change, wars, violence, and divisiveness. The worry is centered on what kind of a world will my grandchildren and their grandchildren have.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34). Three times, we are told not to worry. And in Matthew 6: 33 Jesus reminds us to “Seek first the Kingdom of God”, and we are taught to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10.
We are reminded in the book of Daniel that God reigns even in the face of disaster and destruction. God’s “dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away” and “all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him.” I know that God’s dominion is anywhere and everywhere, for all of time. Ultimately, God is in charge, regardless of human actions and inactions.
Thus, while I know God’s “kingship will not be destroyed,” I also know that humanity is capable of destroying this planet and life as we know it. I don’t worry about God, I worry about us, and I am continually seeking guidance on what I can do in my life and in my actions to so that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Peace and blessings,
Al Mytty