In the first reading from the Book of Maccabees the 7 brothers are tortured and killed for their Jewish faith. The last brother to die tells his captors,
It is my choice to die at the hands of menResurrection and oneness with God cannot occur if our focus is on snuffing out faith. For, all are God's children and true peace cannot occur if we are looking not at God and His Love, but at hatred and the prince of darkness.
with the hope God gives of being raised up by him;
but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.
~1 Maccabees
The psalm reminds us that all we need do is cry out to God and he will guard us as something vulnerable and irreplaceable. The Kingdom of God is *now*, if we walk in God's justice and enable others to do the same. We will not be in the darkness, but in the protective Presence of God.
These are challenging times. This is a challenging time of year. Our being often cries out, from an ancient place, that we are lost and the times around us are perilous. Saint Paul reminds us to prayKeep me as the apple of your eye,
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking I shall be content in your presence.
~Psalm 17
that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people,The reminder of death and evil this time of year is not by accident. It is something we feel in our very bones. Nature itself reminds us that, as the days grow shorter and seem to end, ours will as well.
for not all have faith.
But the Lord is faithful;
he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
~2 Thessalonians
Jesus assures us that those who place their faith in Him and live His Kingdom among their fellow men
can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
~Luke
2 comments:
This is the time of year things grow difficult for some. As I read your post I began to wonder, "Do some people partake in overspending and gluttony in a false attempt to rid themselves of the worries that show up this time of year?" I do know that more elderly die in the winter months and more suicides are attempted then as well. Maybe if we shine our "light" a little brighter it will help. I have more to say, but this comment is becoming a journal, so I'll sign off. ; )
Very good insight. The original, spiritual focus of this time of year has been overtaken by gluttony and spending in an attempt to push away the worries.
Instead, we should focus on what is important and what is true in spite of the difficulties.
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