Wellspring of Scripture

 

Year B: 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Daniel 7: 13-14
 

Today, we have another reading from Daniel’s prophecy looking to the events at the end of time.

It is interesting to compare his vision of the son of man who is to come in glory with the Jesus of today’s Gospel. The Jesus of the Gospel seems powerless - in the hands of earthly powers and subject to their whim. The son of man who is to come has conferred on him glory and power and eternal sovereignty over all the nations.

In the encounter between Jesus and Pilate, it would have seemed that Pilate was the representative of an Empire with that degree of power and sovereignty. For most of the people living under the Empire, its power and might would have seemed impregnable and unending. It was certainly under no threat from the man from Galilee.

Yet, history tells a different story. Within four hundred years, the Roman Empire was in tatters and followers of the itinerant preacher who stood before Pilate on the eve of Passover were to create pockets of civilisation throughout Europe as it entered a period of darkness.

In more recent history, we have seen the rise and fall of other empires - some benign - others totalitarian and oppressive. In each case, while it existed, it seemed all-powerful and everlasting and opponents were often swiftly and brutally silenced. And yet, always there have been individuals who have believed in the future. They may have been imprisoned - tortured - executed - but in them the fire that burned in the soul of Jesus continued to blaze.  One day, the regime will topple - one day, justice will be restored and peace prevail. One day, integrity will be the mark of honour. One day humanity will restore the balance of good and evil. And one day, good will triumph absolutely as all authority is placed in the hands of one who confronted the might of an earthly empire, died at its hands - yet rose to an eternal kingship

 

What does it mean for me?

Waterlily What hope does this Reading give in looking at the problems facing the world?

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