TRIAL BY FIRE

For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious. – Daniel 7:21

       “Have mercy, please!” She sank to her knees and raised her arms above her head in a last-ditch effort to shield herself. Heedless to her pleas, the men hacked at her with their bolos; she pretended to be dead, and they left her on the forest floor as she slipped into unconsciousness. When she regained consciousness, she tried to run back home to her mother, but along the way, she started screaming in terror—her hands were falling off at the wrists: the men had hacked them off.

       To everyone’s surprise, she survived. Unfortunately, she’d lost her hands. But she refused to let her disability define her limits — Maricel Apatan graduated in 2008 with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree and has worked in one of most prestigious hotels in the Philippines.

       We’ve all gone through trials by fire, some worse than others, and it is impossible to come out unscathed and unscarred. But, my friend, you have nothing to fear; everything works towards the glory of God in the end, even if it isn’t clear at the time as to why you’re experiencing those trials.

Reflection: It is ultimately our choices that define us, and not the circumstances we’ve been dealt.

Lord, grant me the strength and courage to see the blessing beyond the seeming curses in my life, and come out cleansed through my daily trials by fire.

St. James of Marche, pray for us.

The fantastic beasts of the apocalyptic writing are part of a writing style. They are not symbols that predict the future. It is the same with names and numbers. The imagery is used to disguise the message of hope and inspiration that the author conveys to the readers. This is how we should read and interpret this type of writing.

15 I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind. 16 I approached one of those present and asked him what all this meant in truth; in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things: 17 “These four great beasts stand for four Kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” 19 But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast, so very terrible and different from the others, devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling with its feet what was left; 20 about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up, before which three horns fell; about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly, which appeared greater than its fellows. 21 For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious 22 until the Ancient One arrived; judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom. 23 He answered me thus: “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all the others; it shall devour the whole earth, beat it down, and crush it. 24 The ten horns shall be ten kings rising out of that kingdom; another shall rise up after them, different from those before him, who shall lay low three kings. 25 He shall speak against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High, thinking to change the feast days and the law. They shall be handed over to him for a year, two years, and a half-year. 26 But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, 27 then the kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, whose kingdom shall be everlasting: all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87

R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.

59 [Dan 3:82] “You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 60 [Dan 3:83] “O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 61[Dan3:84] “Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 62 [Dan 3:85] “Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)  63 [Dan 3:86] “Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 64 [Dan 3:87] “Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;  praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

Vigilance and sobriety are essential to our spiritual life. Without them, the devil and his minions will easily find their way into our hearts and minds. It is also important that we know our faith so that we can defend what we believe in. Let us seek a greater understanding of God’s ways. This empowers us in our faith journey and helps us to overcome sin and temptation.

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

34 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise 35 like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36 Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

think: Vigilance and sobriety are essential to our spiritual life.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezekiel 9-12

THE EDIFICE WE BUILD

Today is the last day of the Church’s calendar. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new season — the Advent season. In the Gospel, Jesus reminded His listeners to be on the watch, to anticipate the end and be ready to stand before the judgment seat of the Son of Man. When that day comes, everything will crumble, including the mighty temples and edifices that men built to secure themselves from sudden and unwanted visitors.

       Jesus is not being a killjoy here. What Jesus is trying to say is that a time will come when earth will give way when the reign of God comes.  Much as temples and edifices are residences of Kings, the earthly temple has to give way when the King of Kings comes to judge the earth.

       In the Kingdom of God, edifices don’t catch God’s attention. It is an edifying life that catches the heart of God. Let me share with you an anecdote that I think best illustrates my point here.

       There was a woman who died and found herself at the pearly gates of heaven. Immediately she was met by St. Peter who took out the book of the dead and asked, “What is your name?” “I am Mary Magister,” the woman replied. After minutes of searching, Peter said, “There seems to be a problem here. I don’t see your name here in the book of the dead.” Peter searched for another time and he still could not find the name. Jesus noticed the situation and approached Peter. After knowing the situation, Jesus asked the woman, “May I know what is your profession when you were on earth?”

       The woman replied, “Lord, I was a teacher.” “That explains it,” Jesus said. “Your name is not in the book of the dead. It is in the Book of the Living because teachers never die. Their legacy lives on in their students.” In the Kingdom of God, edifices don’t matter. It is an edifying life that matters. Make your life an edifice. Be the edifice! Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What edifice are you building right now? Do you see it enduring even beyond your lifetime?

O Lord, You are my portion and cup. Be my rock, my fortress and my shield. Amen.