Crown of Life

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings:Dn 2:31-45; Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61; Lk 21:5-11
Notes: Who exactly is in control?

Today, the Temple is predicted to be destroyed.
Not a trivial statement given its importance to daily worship at that time.

Who exactly is in control? The one who can give you the Crown of Life.

Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him (Jas 1:12).

Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev 2:10)

First reading
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is a recapitulation of the historical failure of a succession of earthly kingdoms. These events are at the cusp of the ending of Greek domination, the rise of the Maccabees, and predates the introduction of the Romans.

The Book of Daniel, in this corpus of work, he introduces us to the “Son of Man”, whom we know to be Jesus, Son of Man (Dan 7:13). But first, he reassured the people that the Lord is in control (today’s reading).

The vision interpretation contains:
In the lifetime of those kings
the God of heaven will set up a kingdom
that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people;
rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms
and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever.

Responsorial Daniel
Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Alleluia Verse
Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.

Gospel Portion
Like Daniel, Jesus makes a prophetic statement:
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Luke brings us the theology of a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles”.

What is will become was not yet discussed but we know trials and tribulations continued.
The ancient battle of building the Kingdom of God and the projection of earthly kingdoms continues.

Yet Jesus reminds us that the Lord is in control.
The Lord has overcome death, the final enemy.

Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry