By Thomas T, IVD –
Readings: Dan 2: 31-45; Lk 21: 5-11
Today’s readings are inviting us to be vigilant about the coming of the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel Jesus describes the world that we are living today: nations are at war; people undergo discrimination, gender oppression, denial of rights, poverty, unemployment, contagious diseases, sexual abuses, human trafficking etc. Global terrorism has become the biggest threat to humanity. The kingdom which we have created lacks the values, moral ethics and virtues. Peace, love and brotherhood are little-known words today.
The Gospel demands that we be eager enough to change ourselves to see the change in and around us. We need to be vigilant enough to be aware of our own actions, deeds and words that can take away the peace and harmony in the world. Jesus warns that we must seek the real kingdom of God. In the first reading, Daniel clearly speaks about what is the kingdom that God has established for us. It is of peace, love, mercy, brotherhood, kindness, truthfulness, honesty, prudence, righteousness etc.
Let us ask ourselves, ‘Am I ready to change myself, my values and virtues that I intended to follow? Can I be the change, for others to change themselves?’ As we are going to step into advent, let us prepare ourselves with contrite hearts to repent for our sins, to see the transformation in and around us, to strive for God’s kingdom on earth, and to welcome Jesus in our midst.