November 26, 2019

Nov. 26

November 26, 2019:  Tuesday, 34th, week, Ordinary Time

See more than a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For canticle
Pope Francis at Sophia Univ.

Japanese culture is rightly proud of its rich heritage of study and meditation.  Japan has integrated the thinking and the religions of Asia to create a well-defined culture.

 Since leaders are trained primarily in universities, broad knowledge and culture must inspire every aspect of the life of the institutions, making them inclusive and able to generate opportunities and social advancement.  We need Wisdom (Sophia) to manage our resources well.  Sophia should be both a center of intellectual formation and a place where a better society and hope-filled future can take shape.  

 I'm confident your humanistic, Christian, and international identity will grow stronger, so that today’s technological advances can serve a more humane, just, and ecologically responsible education.  Your Ignatian tradition should inspire professors and students to create an atmosphere of reflection and discernment.  Students should be defenders of the vulnerable, facing situations with just, humane, conscientious, and responsible conduct. 

 The Church looks with hope to young people.  Sophia University should offer them an excellent education and allow them to be part of it, sharing their insight and vision.  Your Christian and humanistic tradition is consonant with walking with the poor and outcasts.  Creatively incorporate the marginalized into your life and curriculum, to reduce distances and disconnects.  Let the effort to serve justice and the common good inform your education.   The Lord and his Church count on you to seek, find, and spread Divine Wisdom, and so offer society joy and hope.

Read
  • Dn 2:31-45  Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar re vision and interpretation:  “You saw a statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay tile, being crumbled by stone.  You're the head.  Kingdoms replacing yours are the silver, bronze, iron with clay.  Last won't stay united.  God will set up a permanent kingdom.”
  • Dn 3:57-61  "Give glory and eternal praise to him."  Works of the Lord, angels, heavens, waters, and hosts, bless the Lord.
  • Lk 21:5-11  “Days will come when nothing you see here will remain.  Don't be deceived, follow the false prophets, or be terrified of wars/insurrections.  There will be earthquakes, famines, and signs from the sky.”

Reflect
  • Creighton:   Young captive prophet Daniel, not intimidated when he confronted powerful King Nebuchadnezzar, told him the meaning of each element of the statue in the king's dream.  The most unwelcome part of his message was that God's hand can end every earthly kingdom, that God's power and majesty will fill the earth.  In the gospel Jesus speaks of the impending destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem.   His listeners knew it could be destroyed, and they taken captive.  In saying, “many will come in my name, saying ‘I am he’ and ‘the time has come,’” he implies that he is the chosen one and the time had come.  God replaces temporal powers and fills the world with his power.  The alleluia verse says we don't need to fear in the face of the end of nations, plague, war, famine, and earthquakes: “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
    Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream
    (courtesy LDS.org)
  • Passionist:  Thanksgiving commemorates the gathering of the fruits of the earth and encourages us to recognize our blessings, but it also reminds Native Americans how they were displaced.  When Lincoln established the holiday, we were in the midst of the Civil War.  Today's gospel points to messy times ahead (war, earthquakes, famine, plague...), but then Jesus says, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and glory.”  Giving thanks isn't about being grateful everything has worked out beautifully but about making it through struggle, loss, disappointment.  God’s love binds us together....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Take heed":  Jesus foretold signs that would shake peoples, to point us to the truth of his eternal kingdom.  God works to renew us in hope and help us set our hearts on him alone.  His prophecy of the destruction of their temple was a warning of judgment. When they asked for a sign about when it would happen, he admonished them to pray for God's grace and mercy instead.  Jesus said there would be many signs of disasters leading to the last days, when God's anointed King would usher in the reign of God and the last judgment.  But Jesus' prophecy also pointed to God's saving action and mercy.  Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing he'd be betrayed, rejected, and crucified, but his death brought freedom and victory for all who would accept him.  God extends grace and mercy to all who heed his call....
Dress legend
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  King Nebuchadnezzar; God will set up a kingdom never to be destroyed (1st reading)
  • Gold- and silver-colored accessories:  Statue's head was pure gold; chest and arms were silver (1st reading)
  • 'Alps' pin:  The stone became a great mountain; the statue was hewn from a mountain... (1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  ...without a hand being put to it; God has 'hand'ed... (1st reading)
  • 'Beast' and 'bird' pins:  ...people, beasts, and birds over to you,... (1st reading)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  ...making you 'ruler' of all (1st reading); Christ the King, 'ruler' of all (Sunday's celebration)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin, 'feet' pin:  The feet and toes, of tile and iron, mean the kingdom shall be divided... (1st reading)
  • 'Stone' tie pin:  While you looked, a stone struck and broke its feet (1st reading); temple adorned with stones; stones will be thrown down (gospel)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Angels, bless the Lord (canticle)
  • 'Signs' tie:  "What sign will there be when these things are about to happen?...  Mighty signs will come from the sky" (gospel)
  • 'Clocks' suspenders:  Don't follow those who say, ‘The time has come’ (gospel); last week of Ordinary Time season
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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