Gospel: November 27, 2023
(Monday) 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)
Responsorial Psalm: Dn 3: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Glory and praise forever!
1st Reading: Daniel 1: 1-6, 8-20Gospel: Luke 21: 1-4Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury of the temple. He also saw a poor widow, who dropped in two small coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. For all of them gave an offering from their plenty; but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on.“
Reflection:“They put all of that at risk by remaining faithful to their beliefs.”
Once again Scripture presents us with unexpected heroes: a poor widow who gives all she has and three young men who risk their status and their safety to remain faithful to God’s covenant. The role models in Scripture are not the rich and the powerful, but those who, despite their humility and challenges, remain faithful to the Lord.
The three young men in the Book of Daniel are especially inspiring for us today. These young men are offered a comfortable life and the hope of status, power and wealth in the royal court. But they put all of that at risk by remaining faithful to their beliefs instead of accommodating themselves to the Babylonian culture.
Young people today remind me of these young men. They are idealistic and committed, ready to put themselves on the line for their beliefs. Their energy and dedication can inspire the rest of us to take action to make our world better by taking action. May we make these young people welcome in our churches and help them live what they believe.
