Keeping It Real

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; Lk 21:1-4
Notes: We continue the last week of ordinary time before Advent.

Our focus has a particular character:

• Sunday: Christ, the King no matter the upheaval we face the Lord, is our steady Help.
• Monday: St Cecilia and the Widow reassure us to be authentic gift to God.
• Tuesday: The destruction of the Temple foretold.
• Wednesday: Persecutions will come.
• Thursday: The destruction of Jerusalem is at hand.
• Friday: The Fig Tree reminds us the Lord is present and at our aid. He will not delay.
• Saturday: Don’t lose faith nor forget hope. Rely on charity, that is the love of God.

So we go from the height of declaring Jesus the Eternal King to the depths of the human experience at its worst times. We ascend again toward the end of the week with the Gospel reminder to have faith in the one and same King.

Saint Cecilia
Saint Cecilia prized her chastity, husband and extended family.
Her witness brought about conversion of soldiers guarding her.
All of them were baptized.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-11-22

First reading
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah took the courageous step of insisting on their diet being in compliance with the dietary laws. They did not wish to deny the Lord their obedience.

Responsorial (Daniel)
Glory and praise for ever!

Alleluia Verse
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

Gospel Portion
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Simple things really.
In the first reading, to eat vegetables and drink water only.
In the Gospel reading, to give two simple coins.

They share in common an unwavering trust in the Lord and a willingness to give their all.

• For the widow any small comfort the coins would give of which she had few.
• For Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the risk of their very lives.

Let’s let their faithfulness inspire in us a genuine faithfulness.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry