ATTENTION NEEDED TO PASS THE TESTS


THURSDAY, THIRTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Dan 6:12-28; Dan 3:68-74; Lk 21:20-28

Alas for those with Child

We have considered the entire creation as a school of divine knowledge, and our lives here on earth as a period of learning, given to us to understand the meaning of life and the natural realities as they relate to the divine. God has arranged the experience of each of us to suit the time we have to spend here on earth. If life is a divinely arranged programme of learning to know God, to love and serve him, there must surely be a time for examination. The tests come in various modes and at various times to help us make the most use of what life has taught us. Just as in every course of study, attention is crucial for us to learn the necessary lessons at each stage, to pass the test as it comes. The Teacher continues teaching at every stage of our lives. Many lessons are lost due to our inattentiveness. Our Lord is called the Good Teacher for he teaches us in a manner best suited to our make-up, and he would not test us on what he has not taught us. Are we aware that the Eternal Wisdom is present and teaching us daily? John tells us in his Gospel that he is the light that enlightens every man that lives.

We read how the Good Teacher wept when he entered Jerusalem to teach her and her children what is necessary to pass the coming test. He wept over her when he noticed her lack of attention. He prophesies about the time of trial that would come upon her and her subsequent destruction due to her distraction and failure to notice the presence of the Teacher within her. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled.” The time of tests is a time of vengeance or retribution for wasting the precious presence of the Teacher and the rare resource of time given to us by God. Those who have their attention on the Teacher would pass the test, for they would be adequately prepared. To be distracted from the Teacher’s presence is to be attached to the passing things of this world and fail to learn from the Teacher. Those who are distracted in this manner are those considered to be with children or babies. “Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!” Just as mothers with babies cannot go far or take up their proper occupations due to their attention on the babies, those with worldly attachment have their hearts tied to their worldly interests, to which they give all their time and interests.  

But those who have understood the meaning of life as a time to know God and do his bidding are freed from a thousand distractions and anxieties. They travel light through life and are never afraid of receiving evil news of the passing of worldly things, for their hearts and interests are riveted on what endures forever. Such was Daniel in the land of Babylon. With his interest in God and life with God, he refused to live to please any man and was never afraid of what men would do to him, for he knew the infinite power of God. He was not bothered by the king’s decree; he continued his regular prayer to God despite the decree. It was a time of testing for him. But he scaled through it because he knew God and steadfastly prayed and worshipped God. “The king then ordered Daniel to be fetched and thrown into the lion pit. The king said to Daniel, ‘Your God himself, whom you have served so faithfully, will have to save you.’ A stone was then brought and laid over the mouth of the pit; and the king sealed it with his own signet and with that of his noblemen, so that there could be no going back on the original decision about Daniel.” God saved Daniel because of his strong faith in God. His steadfastness in serving God brought salvation to him and glory to God. The purpose of our test is to win more salvation and glorify God in our lives. Everybody goes through the test leading to glory or to shame and everlasting damnation.

Let us pray: Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.   

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