Missionary Renegade: The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, November 27, 2015

Friday, November 27, 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, November 27, 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, November 27, 2015

Meditation: Daniel 7:2 “I had a vision at night; I saw there before me the four winds of the sky breaking out over the great sea, 3 and four huge animals came up out of the sea, each different from the others. 4 The first was like a lion, but it had eagle’s wings. As I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted off the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a human heart was given to it. 5 Then there was another animal, a second one, like a bear. It raised itself up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up, and gorge yourself with flesh!’ 6 After this, I looked; and there was another one, like a leopard with four bird’s wings on its sides. The animal also had four heads, and it was given power to rule. 7 After this, I looked in the night visions; and there before me was a fourth animal, dreadful, horrible, extremely strong, and with great iron teeth. It devoured, crushed and stamped its feet on what was left. It was different from all the animals that had gone before it, and it had ten horns.

8 “While I was considering the horns, another horn sprang up among them, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. In this horn were eyes like human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly.

9 “As I watched, thrones were set in place;

and the Ancient One took his seat.

His clothing was white as snow,

the hair on his head was like pure wool.

His throne was fiery flames,

with wheels of burning fire.

10 A stream of fire flowed from his presence;

thousands and thousands ministered to him,

millions and millions stood before him.

Then the court was convened, and the books were opened.

11 “I kept watching. Then, because of the arrogant words which the horn was speaking, I watched as the animal was killed; its body was destroyed; and it was given over to be burned up completely. 12 As for the other animals, their rulership was taken away; but their lives were prolonged for a time and a season.

13 “I kept watching the night visions,

when I saw, coming with the clouds of heaven,

someone like a son of man.

He approached the Ancient One

and was led into his presence.

14 To him was given rulership,

glory and a kingdom,

so that all peoples, nations and languages

should serve him.

His rulership is an eternal rulership

that will not pass away;

and his kingdom is one

that will never be destroyed.

34th Week in Ordinary Time
I saw One like a son of man. (Daniel 7:13)
If you’ve studied history, you know that the authority held by a monarch is meant to be passed down from one ruler to the next, not taken by force. This transfer of power typically happens in a coronation ceremony. In many cultures, the coronation ceremony reflects the belief that the power to rule comes from God—or at least from a source higher than the people themselves. Here in Daniel, we see the ultimate coronation. The figure of “the son of man” receives “dominion, glory, and kingship” from none other than his heavenly Father (Daniel 7:13, 14).
Daniel’s author saw this “son of man” as an apocalyptic ruler who would bring justice to the earth. With Spirit-inspired hindsight, we know him as Jesus, who has power over all creation (Ephesians 1:21-22). Contrast Jesus’ power with that of the four beasts that preceded him in Daniel’s vision. These four animals signified the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In spite of their great might, these dynasties eventually crumbled. Like many governments, they fell because their rulers became greedy and tyrannical, caring more about their influence than about their subjects. Clearly, that’s not how Jesus rules his people!
What about us? We are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means we share in Jesus’ authority; we can build his kingdom here on earth! It’s a high calling, and with it comes a high dignity. Filled with the power of the Spirit, we can do even greater things than Jesus himself did (John 14:12)!
Today and every day, remember who you are in Christ. United with him, you can be an agent of change in your family, workplace, and community. You have the mind of Christ, so you can bring wisdom where there is confusion and comfort where there is anxiety. You have the anointing of Christ, so you can bring healing, love, and mercy where there is hatred and division. Put yourself in his hands today, and call on his power to help you live a life pleasing to him. Then you will become a sign that “the Kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31).
“Lord, thank you that you have made me a little lower than the angels! May I never forget that I carry your name. Help me to shine your light into every situation.” Amen!
(Psalm) Daniel 3:75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;