27 Nov
Tue 		34th Week in Ordinary Time
Dan. 2:31-45
(R. Ps.) Dan. 3:57-61
Lk. 21:5-11
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Both readings highlight the temporary nature of all human endeavours. Nebuchadnezzar's mighty empire has its 'feet of clay' and is going to fall only to be replaced by a succession of empires each of which will collapse in its time. Similarly, Herod the Great's Temple in Jerusalem, one of the wonders of the world, will be reduced to a heap of rubble. The only enduring regime is that of the Kingdom of God, which is built, not on territories or buildings or armies but on those people who fully identify themselves with the vision of life which Jesus gave us. It is "a Kingdom of truth and life, a Kingdom of holiness and grace, a Kingdom of justice, love and peace". Our attitude, then, is not one of fear and anxiety about the future. Each new era, each new administration is a time of challenge and opportunity, a time for new beginnings. It does not help to become fearful and anxious but rather to live each day to the full and to make it productive for ourselves and others. The end is then to be anticipated not feared.


Lord, teach me how to live each day in Your company so that when You call me to Yourself I will be more than ready.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

"They began to proclaim the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31). The word "boldly" can also be translated as "audaciously" or with "forthrightness" in announcing the Christian message. The ideal agents of evangelisation should be "holy and exemplary persons". Though God could have spread His Kingdom without human collaboration, He has always sought human partners, who as suitable and free instruments, work for the salvation of humankind.

The laity can evangelise chiefly through prayer, the testimony of life and the establishment of a temporal order inspired by the Gospel. Though preaching the Gospel is the competence and principal duty of those who have been ordained, lay people, who have the necessary theological training, can preach.

Vatican II stresses the need for priests to be holy preachers. God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders through those men who are more submissive to the impulse and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because of their intimate union with Christ and their holiness of life, they are able to say with St Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). Let us therefore pray that all those who devote themselves directly to evangelisation may live a holy life that emphasises the credibility of the Christian message.



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