DAILY REFLECTION: TUESDAY, 28th November 2017

TUESDAY OF THE THIRTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (Year I)
First Reading: Dan 2:31-45
Psalm: Dan 3. R. v. 35b
Gospel: Lk 21:5-11
The Temple in Jerusalem was the centre of the Jewish religious life. The Jews believed that as long as it stood they were secured. The temple was adorned with marbles, bronze, and gold. It was the pride of the Jews.
But they neglected the vital part of a true religious life. They failed to make the message of salvation which Christ preached the centre of their life and chose the temple building instead. Jesus warned them against putting faith in earthly edifice and prophesied about the approaching destruction of the temple.

Because of this strong Jewish faith centred on the temple, many believed that the destruction of the temple would be a time portending the end of the age. Jesus warned his disciples not to be misled by that belief. But most importantly, to put their faith and trust in God who has dominion over all time and not on the temple building.

Jesus told those admiring the magnificent temple that one day it will be reduced to dust. This is a reminder to us that every earthly possession will surely face extinction. Our faith, safety, trust, and protection should not be centred on any material acquisition. Whatever we have should lead us to appreciate God who created them and not the contrary.

So as we live our lives, let us not forget that all earthly things are for the dust of the earth. As we adore our bodies and it’s beautiful complexions, let us not admire it more than our souls. Let our concentration on our bodies not make us lose sight of concentrating on our souls; for our soul is the only thing that will know no decay.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, may we not be lost in the attractiveness of earthly things but let us be lost in doing thy will. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP

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